■4-24 


THE    MAN 

OF 

GALILEE 


A  Short  Sketch  of  Christ's 
Three  Years  of  Ministry 


ELTON  R.  SHAW 

Author  of  "Patriotic  Temperance  Songs,"     "The  Curse 
of  Drink  or  Stories  of  Hell's  Commerce,"  Etc. 


SHAW    PUBLISHING   COMPANY 
GRAND      RAPIDS,     MICHIGAN 


Copyright  By 
Elton  R.  Shaw.  1912. 


S^btcatian 


To  RoLLiN  H.  Walker 

Professor  of  English  Bible 

Ohio  Wesleyan  University 

My  Teacher  and  Friend 

3  ^tixxtniz  iitis  btxnk 

The  Author. 


PREFACE 

No  apology  is  offered  for  the  appear- 
ance of  this  unpretentious  little  book. 
It  is  not  intended  to  add  anything  to 
the  knowledge  of  Bible  students.  It  is 
not  intended  to  give  any  light  on  theo- 
olgical  or  doctrinal  issues  of  any  kind. 
The  essentials  are  emphasized  only  in- 
directly. 

The  book  is  written  especially  for 
young  people.  Even  our  Christian 
young  people  of  the  Christian  Endeavor 
Societies,  Epworth  Leagues,  the  Bap- 
tist Young  People's  Unions,  and  other 
organizations  are  not  reading  their 
Bibles  as  they  should.  They  have  not 
become  interested  to  the  extent  that 
Bible  study  is  a  pleasure  to  them.  This 
book  is  not  intended  as  a  substitute,  for 
if  it  were,  it  would  be  a  detriment  rather 

5 


Preface 

than  a  help.  It  is  hoped  that  the  read- 
ing of  this  book  will  interest  the  young 
people  in  the  life  of  Jesus  Christ  and  in 
His  mission  on  earth.  If  it  succeeds  in 
this  even  to  some  degree,  the  readers 
will  turn  to  the  Bible  with  greater  in- 
terest. 

While  the  book  is  written  especially 
for  young  people,  it  is  written  in  a  style 
that  will  be  interesting  and  instructive 
to  both  old  and  young,  unless  the  older 
readers  have  given  considerable  time  to 
Bible  study  and  are  reading  more  ad- 
vanced writings. 

It  is  hoped  that  the  reading  of  this 
book  will  create  a  desire  for  more  thor- 
ough and  systematic  study  of  THE 
BOOK,  not  only  in  the  home,  but  in  the 
Sunday-school  and  also  other  educa- 
tional institutions.  The  Sunday-school 
should  have  a  course  of  studies  as  care- 
fully graded  as  any  other  school;  the 
Adult  Bible  Classes  should  have  a  course 


Preface 

of  readings;  the  Young  People's  Socie- 
ties should  have  courses  of  readings. 
It  is  hoped  that  this  book  will  be  adapt- 
able as  a  first  book.  There  are  many 
splendid  books  to  follow. 

In  the  preparation  of  this  volume  the 
writer  has  read  several  authors  and 
gives  many  quotations.  The  following 
books  have  been  used: 

1.  The  Bible. 

2.  Life  of  Christ — Farrar. 

3.  Life  of  Jesus  Christ — Stalker. 

4.  Outlines  of  the  Life  of  Christ — 

Sanday. 

5.  The  Life  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth — 

Thees. 

6.  A    History    of    New    Testament 

Times  in  Palestine — Mathews. 

7.  The  Life  of  Christ— Burton  and 

Mathews. 


CONTENTS 

Dedication   3 

Preface 5-6 

Introduction  15 

CHAPTER  I 

Christ's  Baptism  by  John 21 

CHAPTER  II 

Temptation  in  the  Wilderness  and 
Early  Judean  Ministry 29 

CHAPTER  III 

Rejected  at  Nazareth,  Healing  the 
Demoniac  and  Other  Work  in 
Galilee  39 

CHAPTER  IV 

The  Twelve  and  the  Sermon  on  the 
Mount — Preaching  in  Galilee. .     53 

9 


Contents 

CHAPTER  V 

Further  Galilean  Work — The  Cri- 
sis at  Capernaum 69 

CHAPTER  VI 

Work  in  Phoenicia  and  Csesarea 
Philippi   81 

CHAPTER  VII 

Transfiguration  and  Healing  of  the 
Demoniac  Boy 93 

CHAPTER  VIII 

Discourses  on  Humility  and  For- 
giveness, and  closing  Events  of 
Perean  Ministry 105 

CHAPTER  IX 
Same  Subject  Continued 117 

CHAPTER  X 

Jesus'  Last  Days  with  the  Disciples 
— His  Last  Words  in  the  Temple  133 

10 


Contents 

CHAPTER  XI 

Gethsemane  —  the     B  etr  ay  al  —  the 
Arrest   143 

CHAPTER  XII 

The  Trial — the  Crucification — The 
Resurrection  153 


11 


O  Gai.ii.ee  ! 

COPVRIOBT.   l*IO.  OT  Tmj.AB.MKH|tDI-re  CO. 

ormuTATionAX.  copTiuaar  sccvsxzk. 


M.  J,  SMALZ.CV.    Ann.  nv  t.  n.  Mimr.ornr. 


I.  o 

3.0 

3.0 


f        ft' 

Gal  -  i-lee,  sweet  Gal  -  i -lee!  O    land  where  prophets  trod ;  0      land  most  sacred 
Gal  -  i-lee,  sweet  Gal-i-leel  Thy  hills  are  sacred  now;     Whose  rocks  did  lend.on 
Gal  -i-lee,sweet  Gal -i-lee!  We  claim  thee  as  our  own;  Wherefirst  He  came  whose 

mmmmamfmrnm        .  I   I    1    I  '■ 


in    our  eyes,  Where  walk'd  the  Son  of     God:    We  praise  the  name  that  hallo w'd  Thee,  Dear 
wearied  nights,  A        pil   -  low  for    His  brow,— Or  from  whose  crests,  where  cedars  bend,  In 
mission  was  To     bind      all  flesh  in     one;     0         na-tiveland,  0    cov'nantland     Of 


Je  •  Eus,  blessed  name; 
si  •  lent  twilight  hour, 
earth's  most  royal  King! 


>?-      ■*  i*-"  -^-.-ir-*-    ^^^  •-♦--••  ^T^-ssc 


As  long  as  tongue  shall  sound  His  praise.  So  long  thy  deathless  fame. 
He  stood  enwrapp'd  in  pray'rf  ul  mood,  A  -  waiting  God-scal'd  pow'r. 
We  give  thee  mead  of    bless-ed  praise.  While  we  His  gln-ry     sing. 


For  the  Man  of  Galilee. 


a.  J    DtmCAN.CI.ABIC 


t.  R.  MCSeMTII. 


6= 


^ 


3^3 


4=^ 


4=S:x=i 


3= 


^ 


dzn.-3— 


^=;i= 


^3^ 


I 


t.  Shout     a  -  loud    the    stir  -  ring    sum-moos  O'er    the  land    from  sea     to      sea, 

2.  Hen      are  "want  -  ed,  men     of      pur  •  pose,  Men    of    high     or     low    de  •  grec, 

3.  From    the  count-ing  bouse  and    col  •  lege.  From  the  forge  and   fac  -  to  -    ry, 

4.  On  -  ward!  are    His  march -ing   or  -  ders.  He    -who  leads   to     vie  •  to  •  ry, 


Men  are  want  •  ed,    men    of      cour  •  age.  For    the  Man  of 

Each   to      be      a       fel  -  low  •  work  •  er  With  the  Man  of 

Lo,  there  throngs  a    I07  -  al         le  •    gion  For    the  Man  of 

On -ward  I    till    the  world    is       tak  •    en  For    the  Man  of 


Gal  - 
Gal  - 
Gal  • 
Gal  • 


lee. 
lee. 
iee. 
lee. 


Roll. 


*-s — *—! 


U,     thou     man      of       Gal  - 


thou  man 

O,      thou  man 

O,      thou  man 

O,     thou  man 


:««■- 


Gal  - 

Gal 

Gal 


^? 


lee  I 
leet 
leet 
leei 


Thou  who  died      to  set 

la        the  fight     (O  set 

We      will  fol  -  low  on 

We      will  fol  -  low  on 


men 
men 

«y 


free, 

free. 

Thee, 

Thee, 


I 


m 


a  tempo. 


=4 


m 


s=i 


:±zi 


z:zn-rz:r;i— 


^ 


We    will  fol  • 

We    will  fol  . 

In        a  life 

O,    Thou  fear 

.^.  -^.  ^- 


low     on  -  ly      Thee, 
low     on  •  ly      Thee, 

of     faith   and  serv-  ice, 

less,  peer  -  less  lead  -  er. 


Bless  -  ed    Man  of  Gal 

Glo  •  rious  Man  of  Gal 

Bless  -  ed    Man  of  Gal 

Glo  •  rious  Man  of  Gal 


leei 
lee! 
lee! 
lee! 


^ 


m 


E 


E^Z^lE^ 


-Jm^sS:z 


Taken  from  Sunday-School  Hymns  Number  Two,  and  used  by  permission 
of  Tullar-Meredith  Co.,  Chicago,  New  York  and  Atlanta. 


INTRODUCTION 

I  have  been  asked  to  write  a  word,  intro- 
ducing this  little  book  to  its  readers.  It 
is  a  pleasure  so  to  do.  In  reading  over  its 
pages  I  have  fallen  in  love  with  its  sim- 
plicity, and  have  been  impressed  by  its 
directness.  I  believe  it  will  become  a  real 
acquaintance,  known  and  loved  by  many. 
The  author  has  told  us  a  story,  simply.  It 
is  refreshingly  told.  He  takes  us  over  the 
paths  once  trod  by  the  feet  of  Jesus  and 
His  Disciples,  and  talks  to  us  earnestly  and 
reverently  by  the  way.  He  keeps  us  free 
from  the  ''by-ways"  of  theological  discus- 
sions, and  introduces  no  ** perplexed" 
questions — he  tells  us  the  story  of  the  min- 
istry of  Jesus. 

Jesus !  How  the  word  sings  in  the  heart 
of  the  world  today !  It  is  the  name  that  is 
above  every  name.  The  angel  of  the  Lord 

15 


Introduction 

told  Joseph  what  he  should  be  called,  be 
fore  the  wonder  of  the  Incarnation  had 
come  to  pass.  ''Thou  shalt  call  His  name 
Jesus ;  for  it  is  He  that  shall  save  His  peo- 
ple from  their  sins."  His  name  reveals 
His  mission.  Every  soul  that  knows  the 
preciousness  of  salvation  from  sin,  has 
wreathed  that  name  with  the  garlands  of 
its  praise. 
''Jesus!  the  name  that  charms  our  fears. 

That  bids  our  sorrows  cease; 
'Tis  music  in  the  sinner's  ears, 

'Tis  life,  and  health,  and  peace." 
The  thing  most  needed  by  the  young  peo- 
ple of  today  is  to  be  brought  into  direct 
contact  with  this  fact  of  the  Saviorship  of 
Jesus.  So  much  is  being  said  and  written 
about  Jesus  that  is  utterly  aside  the  fact 
of  His  divine  mission  of  reconciliation  to 
men.  We  are  studying  Him  from  the 
standpoints  of  science  and  philosophy,  and 
psychology,  just  as  if  we  really  expected 
to  explain  Him  and  His  work  in  such  ways. 

16 


Introduction 

I  would  not  discourage  any  sort  of  study 
whicli  brings  the  attention  of  men  to  the 
supreme  figure  of  all  history,  but  I  would 
deplore  the  attempt  to  reduce  the  person 
of  Jesus  to  the  proportions  of  mere  hu- 
man understanding.  Jesus  is  a  miracle. 
He  is  ABOVE  the  rationale  of  this  world. 
And  the  acknowledgment  of  this  fact  is 
the  first  requisite  of  a  reverential  and 
profitable  study  of  His  life  and  character. 
Anything,  all  things,  that  tempt  the 
j^outh  of  today  to  become  acquainted  with 
this  supreme  Person,  may  be  bidden  God- 
speed. This  book  will  be  such  a  temptation 
to  many.  It  is  born  of  the  desire  of  the  au- 
thor's heart  to  bring  Jesus  closer  to  the 
hearts  of  his  readers. 

Geoege  Hugh  Birney. 
Pastor  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
Grand  Rapids,  Michigan. 


17 


THE  MAN  OF  GALILEE 


CHAPTER  I. 

Christ's  baptism  by  john. 

Thirty  years  had  now  passed  since  Jesus 
had  come  to  Bethlehem.  His  youth  and 
early  manhood  had  passed  in  obscurity 
and  humble  silence,  but  his  training  had 
long  since  begun.  Words  cannot  express 
the  great  influence  that  those  thirty  years 
of  toil  and  obscurity  had  wrought.  The 
time  for  his  public  ministry,  and  for  his 
great  work  of  redemption  had  now  ar- 
rived. From  thenceforth  he  was  to  be  the 
example  of  mankind,  BUT  WAS  ALSO 
TO  BE  THE  SAVIOUR  BY  REVELA- 
TION AND  BY  DEATH. 

But  before  hearing  the  voice  of  the  Mes- 
siah, the  nation   was   again    to    hear    the 

21 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

voice  of  prophecy.  Already  the  voice  in 
the  wilderness  was  stirring  the  nation  with 
the  cry,  ^'Eepent  ye,  for  the  Kingdom  of 
Heaven  is  at  hand."  A  study  of  contem- 
porary Judaism  shows  that  the  Kingdom 
of  God  meant  much  to  the  Jews.  In  real- 
ity they  expected  a  kingdom  for  Israel, 
rather  than  a  kingdom  of  Grod.  Men  were 
watching  for  it,  and  although  no  time  had 
been  announced,  it  was  understood  to  be 
near. 

It  was  indeed  natural,  therefore,  that 
the  appearance  of  a  prophet  proclaiming 
the  approaching  coming  of  the  Messiah 
should  cause  widespread  excitement.  This 
prophet  bore  the  name  of  John.  Long  be- 
fore he  began  his  prophetic  mission,  he 
had  lived  in  the  wilderness  in  solitude.  The 
impulse  to  ascetic  seclusion  was  very 
strong.  The  world  had  grown  old  in  im- 
morality and  iniquity;  crime  was  univer- 
sal, and  even  the  heathen  world  felt  that 
the  fullness  of  time  had  come.    The  com- 

22 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

munion  with  God  in  the  solitary  wilder- 
ness was  condusive  to  the  fulfillment  of 
such  an  inspired  destiny.  John  was  pos- 
sessed with  strong  conviction,  and  knew 
life  well.  He  was  familiar  with  the  evils 
of  the  time,  and  had  a  wonderful  power  of 
shaking  the  consciences  of  men. 

Such  a  man  immediately  made  himself 
felt  among  the  people.  His  teaching  was 
practical,  heartsearching  and  fearless. 
But  what  attracted  the  attention  was  the 
message  which  he  bore — that  the  Messiah 
was  at  hand,  about  to  set  up  the  kingdom 
of  God.  Messianic  prophecy  was  enough  to 
create  extreme  interest — but  that  was  not 
all.  He  had  another  and  a  stranger 
message — one  more  hopeful.  He  claimed 
no  authority,  save  as  a  forerunner  of  an- 
other. He  was  neither  Christ,  nor  the 
prophet,  Elias,  but  simply  "a  voice  cry- 
ing in  the  wilderness."  After  him  was 
coming  one  who  should  baptize — not  with 
water,  but  with  fire.    The  coming  of  their 

23 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

long  expected  Messiah  was  at  hand.  He 
was  near  and  among  them,  but  they  knew 
him  not.  Thus  we  see  that  repentance  and 
heaven  were  two  cardinal  points  of  his 
teaching,  ''law  and  prophecy;  denuncia- 
tion of  sin  and  promise  of  pardon." 

To  this  preaching  and  baptising  came 
Jesus  from  Galilee.  Although  they  were 
kinsmen,  circumstances  had  separated 
them,  and  now  they  met  for  the  first  time. 
John  did  not  at  first  recognize  him,  but 
there  was  from  the  beginning  a  majesty 
in  the  Savior's  look  and  ways  that  over- 
awed him.  There  was  in  His  face  a  purity 
and  power  which  smote  John  with  a  sense 
cf  unworthiness  and  sin.  THE  IMPRES- 
SION MADE  BY  THE  VERY  LOOK  OF 
JESUS  REVEALED  HIS  DIVINITY, 
and  showed  the  character  of  Jesus  now  in 
full  maturity. 

When,  in  obedience  to  Jesus,  John  pro- 
ceeded to  baptize  Him,  he  realized  the 
overpowering    impression    which     Christ 

24 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

had  made  on  him,  for  God  gave  the  sign 
by  which  he  recognized  the  Messiah. 

The  Holy  Ghost  descended  on  Jesus  as 
he  left  the  water  praying,  and  God  pro- 
nounced Him  His  beloved  Son. 

This  baptism  had  an  important  signifi- 
cance for  Jesus.  It  of  course  did  not  in 
this  case  signify  the  abandonment  of  old 
sins,  but  meant  that  he  was  entering  a  new 
epoch,  of  which  he  was  to  be  the  au- 
thor. It  was  not  only  the  signal  for  the 
starting  of  his  peculiar  mission,  but  the 
symbol  of  a  special  gift  given  to  qualify 
Him  for  his  work. 


25 


TEMPTATION     IN 

THE    WILDERNESS    AND    EARLY 

JUDEAN  MINISTRY 


CHAPTER  II. 

TEMPTATION    IN    THE    WILDERNESS  AND   EARLY 
JUDEAN   MINISTRY. 

We  have  now  reached  the  great  transi- 
tional period  in  Christ's  life.  He  had  been 
endowed  with  supernatural  powers.  His 
spirit  was  filled  with  emotions,  and  His 
whole  being  had  been  excited  by  the 
thought  of  the  importance  of  His  work, 
and  its  accomplishment.  He  felt  the 
necessity  of  retirement  and  solitude,  that 
he  might  he  alone  with  God,  and  was  led 
by  the  Spirit  into  the  wilderness.  The 
forty  days  spent  in  this  seclusion  only  fur- 
nish more  conclusive  testimony  of  His 
mission  and  His  divinity.  The  beasts,  we 
are  told,  did  not    harm    Him.   Still,     this 

29 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

should  not  alarm  the  most  critical.  How 
could  creatures  which  Grod  created  attack 
their  master  man — a  sinless  personality's 
Whether  we  take  the  words  of  Luke,  "He 
did  eat  nothing,"  literally  or  not,  the  fact 
remains  that  in  the  end  He  hungered ;  and 
this  was  naturally  the  time  of  temptation. 

Eegarding  Christ's  capability  of  sin- 
ning, none  but  the  most  critical  are  con- 
cerned. We  must  remember  that  it  is  no 
sin  to  be  tempted,  it  is  only  sin  to  yield  to 
temptation.  Moreover,  the  purer  the  soul, 
the  more  painful  must  be  the  temptation. 

The  question  of  His  being  tempted  by 
Satan  is  entirely  another  matter.  The 
Jews  expected  a  Messiah  who  would  estab- 
lish a  world  empire  centering  at  Jerusa- 
lem. Of  course,  the  natural  temptation 
was  to  fulfill,  to  some  extent  at  least,  these 
expectations,  otherwise  the  people  would 
turn  away  angry  and  unbelieving.  All  of 
the  temptations  related  themselves  to  this 
thought.     The  temptation  to   satisfy  His 

30 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

hunger  was  a  temptation  to  show  His 
newly  endowed  power  to  perform  miracles 
for  an  inferior  cause.  It  not  only  appealed 
to  the  appetite,  but  to  the  lower  nature  of 
man.  The  second  was  simply  to  gratify 
their  desire  for  wonders,  because  they  ex- 
pected the  Messiah  to  appear  suddenly 
in  a  wonderful  manner.  This  was  an  ap- 
peal to  ''perverted  spiritual  instincts." 
The  third,  and  greatest,  was  to  win  the 
world  by  an  act  of  worship  to  the  Devil. 
These  details  interest  us  only  in  their  re- 
lation to  Christ  and  their  effect  on  Him. 
Indeed,  it  is  difficult  to  conceive  of  Christ 
being  naturally  tempted  to  distrust  God 
and  worship  the  Devil;  BUT  NO 
AMOUNT  OF  TEMPTATION  CAN 
EVER  NECESSITATE  A  SIN.  With 
every  temptation  God  provides  also  the 
way  of  escape — necessarily  with  one  di- 
vine like  Himself. 

After     leaving     the    wilderness     with 
its  forty  days    of    temptation,    with    His 

31 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

grasp  of  His  future  work  strengthened  by 
that  awful  struggle,  and  with  the  inspira- 
tion of  His  baptism  still  swelling  in  His 
heart,  He  again  appeared  on  the  Jordan, 
when  John  the  Baptist  designated  Him  as 
the  great  successor.  He  especially  intro- 
duced Him  to  some  of  the  choicest  of  his 
own  disciples,  who  immediately  became 
His  followers. 

Here  we  are  especially  impressed  by  the 
fact  that  although  Jesus  did  not  proclaim 
himself,  "faith  sprang  up  spontaneously 
in  the  minds  of  the  disciples  from  behold- 
ing Him,  and  because  of  his  ready  insight 
into  their  character  and  lives."  THIS 
WAS  ONE  OF  THE  STRONGEST  EVI- 
DENCES OF  CHRIST'S  DIVINITY, 
PERSONALITY  AND  MAJESTY.  The 
disciples  received  impressions  at  their 
very  first  meeting,  which  decided  their 
whole  after  career. 

After  He  left  the  Jordan,  the  first 
incident  of  note  was  the  miracle  at  Cana, 

32 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

in  Galilee.  This  was  the  first  application 
of  His  newly  endowed  power,  and  was  the 
evidence  of  His  goodness  and  wisdom,  in- 
tended especially  for  His  disciples,  who 
now  became  convinced  beyond  a  doubt 
that  He  was  the  Messiah.  Undoubtedly 
the  time  had  come  for  a  fuller  manifesta- 
tion of  His  power  and  glory. 

Following  this,  He  returned  to  Judea  to 
attend  the  Passover,  where  a  still  better 
proof  of  His  majesty  and  Messiahship 
took  place.  Not  only  had  the  temple  been 
disgraced  by  the  sale  of  sheep  and  cattle 
for  sacrifices,  at  exorbitant  prices,  but  the 
covetousness  and  selfishness  thus  fostered 
by  the  evil  was  increased  by  the  presence 
of  money  changers,  who  gave  Jewish  coin 
for  Roman  and  Greek,  to  enable  the  Jews 
to  pay  the  temple  officials  their  tax.  Un- 
doubtedly Christ  had  witnessed  the  dis- 
graceful scene  with  indignation,  and  now 
with  the  prophetic  zeal  of  a  Messiah, 
He  railed  out  against  it.     This  marks  the 

33 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

beginning  of  His  work  against  the  relig- 
ious abuses  of  His  day.  Here  He  not 
only  showed  His  humility  and  prophetic 
power,  but  also  His  sonship. 

We  are  told  that  Christ  wrought  many 
other  miracles,  but  we  are  especially  at- 
tracted by  one  of  the  heads  of  the  nation 
— the  very  nation  by  whom  the  Galilean 
was  most  despised — coming  cautiously,  by 
night,  to  learn  more  of  the  young  prophet, 
whom  he  recognized  as  a  teacher  from 
God.  Here,  again,  Christ  manifested  His 
power  and  majesty,  seeing  clearly  the 
heart  of  Nicodemus,  and  starting  with  the 
clear  and  bold  assertion,  "Verily,  ver- 
ily, I  say  unto  thee,  Except  a  man  be  born 
again,  he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of 
God,"  Nicodemus  was  startled,  and  im- 
mediately became  convicted  of  his  sins. 
Still,  notwithstanding  its  immediate  effect 
on  him,  it  was  utterly  impossible  for  him 
to  grasp  its  full  significance.  Like  people 
of  the  present  day,  he  endeavored  to  throw 

34 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

off  the  conviction  by  taking  Christ's  words 
in  an  unintelligible  sense.  Still  more 
startled  he  became  when  Christ  asked, 
' '  Art  thou  the  teacher  of  Israel,  and  know- 
est  not  these  things?"  Every  question 
carried  the  feeling  deeper.  If  he  did  not 
know  the  simplest  lesson,  how  was  he  to 
understand  the  deeper  truths  that  Christ 
had  come  to  make  known?  This  question 
was  indeed  sorrowful,  but  still  further  He 
continued,  ''even  the  salvation  of  man  ren- 
dered possible  by  the  sufferings  and  ex- 
altation of  the  Son  of  Man;  the  love  of  God 
manifested  in  sending  His  only  begotten 
Son,  not  to  judge,  but  to  save;  the  deliver- 
ance for  all  through  faith  in  Him ;  the  con- 
demnation which  must  fall  on  those  who 
wilfully  reject  the  truths  He  came  to 
teach."  These  were  indeed  the  mysteries 
of  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  Never  before 
had  they  been  understood;  now  they  were 
fully  revealed.  Although  they  violated 
every  prejudice  and  overthrew  every  hope 

35 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

of  the  inquirer,  they  sank  deep  into  his 
soul — he  was  converted ;  Christ  became  his 
Saviour,  his  hope,  his  power  and  his 
greatness. 


36 


REJECTED  AT  NAZARETH, 

HEALING   THE    DEMONIAC   AND 

OTHER  WORK  IN  GALILEE. 


CHAPTER  m. 

REJECTED    AT     NAZABETH,     HEALING    THE    DE- 

MONAIC   AND   OTHER   WORK  IN 

GALILEE. 

After  spending  about  a  year  in  Judea, 
Jesus  gradually  shifted  his  work  into  Gali- 
lee. The  report  of  His  miracles  had  pre- 
ceeded  Him,  and  the  news  of  His  preaching 
and  baptism  had  undoubtedly  created 
widespread  excitement  before  He  arrived. 
He  reached  Nazareth,  the  home  of  his 
youth,  and  then  when  the  Sabbath  ap- 
peared, he  entered  the  old  synagogue,  as 
had  been  His  custom  as  a  silent  worship- 
per in  His  boyhood.  A  feeling  of  awe  and 
solemnity  came  over  Him  as  the  shazzan 
handed  Him  the  roll  of  Isaiah,  and  invited 

39 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

Him  to  read  the  Scriptures  and  address 
the  people.  A  thrill  of  excitement  passed 
through  the  crowd  when,  to  their  aston- 
ishment, He  read  the  glowing  description 
of  the  Messiah  and  His  coming,  reading  as 
His  text,  "The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  God  is 
upon  me,  because  He  has  annointed  me  to 
preach  the  gospel  to  the  poor;  He  hath 
sent  me  to  heal  the  broken  hearted,  to 
preach  deliverance  to  the  captives,  and  re- 
covering of  sight  to  the  blind,  to  set  at 
liberty  them  that  are  bruised,  to  preach 
the  acceptable  year  of  the  Lord." 

"As  He  commented  on  the  text,  pictur- 
ing the  features  of  the  Messianic  time — 
the  emancipation  of  the  slave,  the  enrich- 
ing of  the  poor,  the  healing  of  the  diseased 
— their  curiosity  at  hearing  for  the  first 
time  a  young  preacher  who  had  been 
brought  up  in  their  midst,  passed  into 
spellbound  wonder,"  and  they  burst  into 
loud  applause.  But  this  applause  was  of 
short  duration.     They  began  to  think  of 

40 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

the  past — His  carpenter  work  in  their 
neighborhood,  His  parents  still  their 
neighbors,  His  sisters  living  among  them 
— and  when  He  began  to  develop  the  theme 
that  the  prophecy  which  He  had  read  was 
fulfilled  in  Himself,  the  Messiah  of  whom 
the  prophet  had  sung  hundreds  of  years 
before,  their  envy  was  excited.  They  grad- 
ually began  to  realize  the  fullness  of  His 
divine  claims,  and  they  burst  into  angry 
scorn  and  rebellion.  They  demanded  a 
sign,  but  he  calmly  answered  that  He  could 
do  no  miracle  among  the  unbelieving.  He 
reminded  them  that  miracles  were  not  lim- 
ited by  geographical  relationships. 

At  these  words  they  burst  out  in  a  fit  of 
anger,  rose  up  and  dragged  Him  out  of 
the  city  to  a  hill  near  the  village,  and 
would,  had  it  not  been  for  his  miraculous 
power,  have  committed  a  crime  which 
would  have  branded  them  with  everlasting 
infamy,  and  robbed  Jerusalem  of  her  bad 
eminence  of  being  the  murderess   of  the 

41 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

Messiah.  But  His  hour  was  not  yet  come, 
and  He  passed  on  His  way.  It  matters  not 
whether  we  take  this  as  an  actual  miracle, 
or  a  sudden  secret  escape  into  one  of  the 
obscure  portions  of  the  town,  or  whether 
His  silence,  or  the  calmness  and  nobleness 
of  His  bearing  overawed  them — the  fact 
remains  that  it  was  the  power  of  His  di- 
vinity, and  the  same  power  that  character- 
ized all  of  His  supernatural  works — the 
same  power  that  made  it  impossible  for 
the  officers  of  the  Sanhedrin  to  arrest  Him 
while  He  was  teaching  during  the  Feast 
of  the  Tabernacles  at  Jerusalem,  the  same 
power  that  made  His  enemies,  at  His  mere 
look,  fall  to  the  ground  in  the  Garden  of 
Gethsemane. 

And  thus  He  left  them.  Nazareth  was 
His  home  no  more.  Kejected  by  the  peo- 
ple that  were  most  dear  to  Him,  He  turned 
towards  Cana,  where  He  had  already  glad- 
dened many  friends  by  His  first  miracle. 
No  sooner  had  He  arrived  than  an  officer 

42 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

of  Herod's  court  hastened  to  Him  and  in- 
terested Him  to  go  into  Capernaum  and 
heal  his  son,  who  was  dying.  Whether  we 
consider  this  urgent  request  a  mark  of 
spiritual  conviction  or  not,  it  is  evident 
that  the  man  realized  Christ's  miraculous 
power.  Christ's  reply  was  merely  to  show 
him  that  His  supernatural  powers  were 
not  ready  at  the  bidding  of  the  people  as 
a  work  of  benevolence.  Christ  realized 
that,  to  some  degree  at  least,  the  man  had 
true  faith,  and  by  dismissing  the  man  with 
the  assurance  that  his  son  lived,  Christ 
not  only  again  showed  His  majesty,  good- 
ness and  power,  but  caused  the  man  to  go 
with  stronger  faith  and  confidence  in  Him, 
the  Messiah. 

After  leaving  Cana,  it  appears  that 
Christ  made  His  home  at  Capernaum, 
where  He  spent  eighteen  of  the  most  im- 
portant months  of  His  life.  Capernaum  was 
well  adapted  as  the  center  of  His  work  in 
Galilee,  and  no  sooner  had  He  settled  there 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

than  the  entire  province  was  filled  with  ex- 
citement, and  the  news  spread  far  and 
wide,  and  tens  of  thousands  gathered  to 
see  and  hear  Him.  To  what  was  such  ex- 
citement due  ?  Was  it,  as  at  Nazareth,  due 
to  His  declaring  himself  the  Messiah!  We 
have  no  evidence  that  such  was  the  case, 
and  it  appears  very  improbable.  Although 
occasionally  He  revealed  himself.  He 
rather  concealed  His  true  character.  Such 
a  declaration  would  have  invoked  the  wrath 
of  the  Roman  government. 

We  are  interested  in  the  account  of 
Christ's  first  Sabbath  at  Capernaum,  only 
so  far  as  it  illustrates  Christ's  active  min- 
istry. The  synagogue  at  Capernaum  was 
crowded  with  an  earnest  and  expectant 
audience,  listening  to  the  emotional  mes- 
sage of  Christ.  All  were  attentively  listen- 
ing with  much  astonishment,  when  the  wild 
cries  of  one  of  those  demoniacs,  whom  the 
people  then  believed  to  be  under  the  influ- 
ence    of    impure  spirits,  broke  the  spell. 

44 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

Then  a  scene  of  thrilling  excitement  fol- 
lowed. Turning  to  the  raving  sufferer, 
Christ  addressed  the  devil  in  him,  saying, 
"Hold  thy  peace,  and  come  out  of  him." 
Immediately  the  victim  fell  to  the  ground 
in  a  fearful  paroxysm,  screaming  and  con- 
vulsed. But  this  lasted  but  a  moment.  The 
man  arose,  cured;  his  whole  look  and  bear- 
ing showed  that  he  was  dispossessed  of 
the  overmastering  influence,  and  was  now 
in  his  right  mind.  A  miracle  so  gracious 
and  so  commanding  had  never  before  been 
so  strikingly  manifested,  and  the  worship- 
pers separated  with  emotion  of  indescrib- 
able wonder. 

Upon  leaving  the  synagogue,  Christ 
went  into  Simon's  house,  where  he  was 
again  met  by  the  appeal  of  sickness.  Si- 
mon's own  mother-in-law  lay  stricken  by 
a  violent  fever.  He  took  her  by  the  hand, 
raised  her  up,  and  immediately  she  was 
restored  to  health. 


45 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

Thus  Christ's  work  kept  ever  increas- 
ing. It  was  only  the  strict  observance  of 
the  Jewish  Sabbath  that  gave  Christ  any 
time  for  meditation  and  rest.  Hardly  was 
the  day  drawing  to  a  close  when  the  mul- 
titude began  to  seek  His  aid.  ' '  The  whole 
city  became  densely  thronged  round 
the  doors  of  the  humble  house,  bring- 
ing with  them  their  demoniacs  and 
their  deceased.  What  a  strange  scene! 
There  lay  the  limpid  lake,  reflect- 
ing in  pale  rose  color  the  last  flush 
of  sunset  that  gilded  the  western  hills,  and 
here  and  there,  amid  the  peace  of  Nature, 
was  exposed,  in  hideous  variety,  the  sick- 
ness and  misery  of  man,  while  the  still- 
ness of  the  Sabbath  twilight  was  broken 
by  the  shrieks  of  demoniacs,  who  testified 
to  the  presence  of  the  Son  of  God.  Only 
one  person  was  there  who  was  unexcited 
and  unalarmed — the  young  prophet  of 
Nazareth,  the  Christ,  the  saviour  of  the 
world — unalarmed  and  unexcited,  but  not 

46 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

free  from  sorrow  and  suffering."  He 
was  touched  with  a  feeling  of  their  suffer- 
ings. His  whole  soul  was  filled  with  pity; 
He  bled  for  them. 

The  fame  of  such  marvelous  proceedings 
spread,  and  the  work  increased.  Although 
the  work  compelled  him  to  spend  many 
days  among  the  thronging  multitudes, 
Christ  needed  and  desired  solitude  and  re- 
pose. He  did  not  desire  to  become  popu- 
lar by  spending  His  entire  time  working 
miracles.  It  appears,  however,  that  he 
yielded  this  desire  for  the  sake  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  with  ever  increasing  multitudes 
following  Him,  He  made  His  way  to  the 
water's  edge  at  Bethsaida,  where  the  fish- 
ermen, Simon  and  Andrew,  James  and 
John,  were  working.  As  Jesus  spoke,  the 
people,  in  their  desire  to  hear  Him  or 
touch  Him,  and  thus  be  healed,  crowded 
closer  and  closer,  until  Christ  called  Simon 
ashore  with  his  boat,  to  which  He  withdrew 
to  teach  them.     After  the  talk  was  over, 

47 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

instead  of  thinking  of  his  own  weariness, 
Christ  thought  of  the  disappointed  disci- 
ples. He  realized  that  they  had  toiled 
without  success,  and  with  that  sympathy 
and  kindness  always  so  characteristic  to 
Him,  He  performed  another  miracle.  Peter 
was  discouraged,  but  being  ordered  by 
Him  whom  he  so  deeply  reverenced,  and 
whose  power  he  had  already  witnessed,  to 
push  out  into  the  deep  water,  he  immedi- 
ately obeyed,  and  his  faith  was  rewarded. 
Immediately  a  large  haul  crowded  the  net. 
Zebedee  was  called  to  help,  and  Peter, 
recognizing  the  force  of  the  miracle,  and 
feeling  his  unworthiness,  cried  out,  ''De- 
part from  me,  for  I  am  a  sinful  man,  0 
Lord."  But  Christ  gently  answered, 
"Fear  not;  from  henceforth  thou  shalt 
catch  men."  Peter,  now  "washed  and 
cleaned,  and  redeemed  and  sanctified,  and 
his  partners,  were  to  become  'fishers  of 
men.'  "  This  final  call  proved  enough. 
They  had  previously  been  called,  on  the 

48 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

banks  of  the  Jordan,  and  had  followed 
John  the  Baptist,  and  now  they  were  to 
forsake  all  and  follow  Christ. 

We  are  interested  in  one  other  apostle, 
who  received  a  separate  call  about  this 
time — the  evangelist,  St.  Matthew.  At  Ca- 
pernaum, there  was  a  place  for  the  collec- 
tion of  tribute  and  taxes,  which  were  to 
the  Jews  very  distasteful.  Having  to  pay 
these  was  servitude  to  the  Jews.  They 
witnessed  that  God  had  forsaken  them. 
Thus  we  see  that  the  officers  who  gathered 
these  were  very  unpopular.  Such  was 
Matthew,  but  Christ  chose  to  make  out  of 
him  the  apostle  and  evangelist  of  the  new 
faith.  Matthew  had  seen  miracles  of 
Christ,  and  was  strongly  impressed. 
He  had  been  touched,  and  was  ready  for 
the  call.  The  ** Follow  me"  was  enough 
to  show  him  that  Christ  had  loved  him,  and 

49 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

was  ready  to  use  him  in  His  work,  and  ' '  he 
left  all,  rose  up  and  followed  him," 
touched  into  noblest  transformation  by 
the  ethereal-spear  of  a  forgiving  and  re- 
deeming love. 


50 


THE  TWELVE  AND  THE 

SERMON  ON  THE  MOUNT. 

PREACHING      IN       GALILEE. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE     TWELVE      AND     THE      SERMON      ON      THE 
MOUNT. PREACHING    IN    GALILEE. 

The  choosing  of  the  twelve  introduces  a 
new  feature  in  Christ's  methods  of  carry- 
ing on  His  work.  Several  of  them  had  al- 
ready been  His  followers  during  the  first 
year  of  His  ministry.  The  opening  of  His 
Galilean  ministry  called  them  to  be  His 
constant  companions.  Now  they  enter 
the  third  stage  of  their  career,  and 
become  apostles.  They  were  to  assist  in 
the  teaching,  and  were  given  miraculous 
power  like  His  own. 

Thus  the  evangelization  took  increased 
proportions,  and  many  were  cured  who 
were  not  able  to  come    in    contact    with 

53 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

Christ.  From  one  standpoint,  it  is  intep 
esting  to  note  the  class  of  people  which  He 
selected  for  such  a  destiny.  They  were 
indeed  far  from  what  might  be  called  the 
learned  and  influential  class.  Whether  the 
leaders  of  the  nation  would  have  proven 
any  more  satisfactory,  is  a  question  but 
the  fact  that  they  proved  so  unworthy, 
dismisses  the  consideration  from  our  mind. 
Power  and  wisdom  were  not  necessary.  He 
did  not  hesitate  to  select  twelve  simple 
men,  destitute  of  learning,  and  belonging 
to  the  common  people.  He  had  no  doubt 
chosen  a  band  after  much  prayer  and  de- 
liberation. The  event  testifies  to  his  mar- 
velous insight  into  their  character.  They 
proved  to  be  thoroughly  fitted  for  the 
great  work.  The  fact  that  one  eventually 
turned  out  a  traitor  may  always  be  a  mys- 
tery, but  it  does  not  detract  from  the  event 
as  being,  ''one  of  the  chief  monuments 
of  the  inconquerable  originality  of  Jesus." 
Henceforth  they  were  to  share  the  wonder- 

54 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

ing  labors  and  the  irregularities  which 
marked  what  is  sometimes  called  the  hap- 
piest period  of  His  ministry.  They  were 
to  be  weary  with  Him,  under  the  burning 
noonday,  and  to  sleep  as  He  did  under  the 
starry  sky. 

Thus  we  see  how  Christ,  by  His  super- 
natural power,  discerned  in  the  apostles 
the  fitness  for  so  grand  a  future.  They 
became  great  men,  and  in  no  small  sense 
may  they  be  called  the  founders  of  the 
Christian  Church.  But  all  of  their  power 
emanated  from  Him.  He  gave  them  all 
their  greatness.  ''What  must  He  have 
been,  whose  influence  imparted  to  them 
such  magnitude  of  character,  and  made 
them  fit  for  so  gigantic  a  task?"  How 
would  such  men  be  able  to  carry  out  the 
designs  of  such  a  mind  as  Christ's — a  di- 
vine being?  But  he  educated  them.  They 
were  always  with  Him,  trained  by  the  si- 
lent and  constant  influence  of  His  charac- 
ter on  theirs.     He  drew  them  to  himself, 

55 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

and  stamped  His  own  image  upon  them. 

But  His  influence  was  far  from  being 
confined  to  the  twelve.  While  he  was 
choosing  the  apostles,  a  multitude  had  been 
gathering,  not  only  from  the  shores  of  the 
Sea  of  Galilee,  but  from  Judea  and  Jeru- 
salem, and  even  from  Tyre  and  Sidon,  to 
hear  Him  and  touch  Him,  and  be  healed. 
He  descended  from  the  peak  to  the  flat 
summit  of  the  hill,  and  there  talked  of 
their  physical  wants,  healing  their  dis- 
eases and  their  spiritual  needs.  ''And 
then,  when  the  multitude  were  seated  in 
calm  and  serious  attention,  on  the  grassy 
sides  of  that  lovely  amphitheatre  of  na- 
ture. He  raised  His  eyes,  which  had,  per- 
haps, been  bent  downward  for  a  few  mo- 
ments of  inward  prayer,  and  opening  His 
mouth  delivered,  primarily  to  His  disci- 
ples, but  intended  through  them  to  address 
the  multitude,  that  memorable  discourse 
which  will  be  known  forever  as  'The  Ser- 
mon on  the  Mount.'  " 

56 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

Again,  we  are  reminded  of  the  Jewish 
ideas  of  the  coming  of  the  Messiah  by 
Christ's  discourse — their  expectation  of  a 
Messiah  who  would  free  them  from  bond- 
age, an  earthly  king,  clothed  in  all  splen- 
dor. Their  minds  were  filled  with  legend- 
ary prophecies.  ''But  Christ  revealed  to 
them  another  King,  another  happiness — 
the  riches  of  poverty,  the  royalty  of  meek- 
ness, the  high  beattitude  of  sorrow  and 
persecution."  Nor  is  it  marvelous  that 
those  who  had  already  been  attracted  by 
His  majesty  and  miraculous  power,  be  so 
impressed  by  the  Voice  of  God,  ' '  speaking 
in  the  utterance  of  man."  The  language 
was  simple — ''no  science,  no  art,  no  pomp 
or  demonstration,  but  He  established  the 
reality  of  an  eternal  and  glorious  kingdom 
— ^whose  theory  for  all,  whose  history  in 
the  world,  prove  it  to  be,  indeed,  what  it 
was  from  the  first  proclaimed  to  be,  the 
Kingdom  of  Heaven,  the  Kingdom  of  God. 

57 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

As  in  many  previous  instances,  Christ 
followed  the  ''Great  Doctrine"  by  mighty 
signs.  "Having  taught  as  one  having  au- 
thority, ' '  He  proceeded  to  confirm  that  au- 
thority by  accordant  deeds.  No  sooner  was 
the  sermon  over,  and  the  multitude  scat- 
tered, then  He  was  met  by  the  leper,  who  in 
agony  fell  on  his  face,  entreating  the 
young  prophet  to  heal  him.  No  delay  was 
necessary.  The  man's  faith  was  stupend- 
ous, and  prompt  was  the  answer,  "I  will; 
be  thou  healed."  Stretching  out  his  hand, 
Christ  touched  the  leper  and  healed  him. 

When  the  healing  of  the  centurian  ser- 
vant took  place  is  not  exactly  known; 
probably  soon  after  the  Sermon  on  the 
Mount.  Christ  had  started  toward  Caper- 
naum, where  He  was  met  by  several  Jew- 
ish elders,  to  plead  with  Him  for  a  Cen- 
turian, whose  servant  lay  with  a  paralytic 
stroke.  The  whole  affair  is  clothed  in  mys- 
tery. Why  would  they  be  so  interested  in 
the  affairs  of  a  heathen?     The  very  fact 

58 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

that  they  approached  Christ  shows  that  it 
was  early  in  his  ministry,  when  all  looked 
to  Him  with  hope  and  wonder.  Again, 
Christ's  response  was  immediate:  "I  will 
go  and  heal  him."  And  the  messenger  re- 
turned and  found  the  servant  restored. 

Thus  the  multitude  crowded  around  Him 
from  morning  until  night,  eager  to  hear 
Him  and  be  healed  by  His  miracles.  No 
time  to. eat  and  rest,  no  time  for  solitude 
and  prayer.  Yet  His  own  relatives,  hear- 
ing of  His  work,  declared  that  He  was  be- 
side himself.  Even  they  had  not  yet  real- 
ized that  He  was  no  longer  one  of  them, 
but  the  Son  of  Grod,  the  Saviour  of  the 
world. 

Leaving  Capernaum,  Christ  and  His 
disciples  and  followers  were  climbing  the 
rocky  slope  leading  to  Nain,  where  they 
suddenly  met  a  funeral  procession  leaving 
the  city  gate.  The  dead  was  the  only  son 
of  his  mother,  and  she  was  a  widow.  The 
sorrow  appealed  to  Christ's  tender  heart, 

59 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

and  saying  to  the  mother,  ''Weep  not," 
He  approached  and  touched  the  coffin.  It 
was  a  moment  of  intense  expectation.  The 
mourners  were  thrilled,  when  to  their  as- 
tonishment they  heard  the  words,  ''Young 
man,  arise!"  The  young  man  arose  and 
began  to  speak.  Fear  seized  the  entire 
crowd.  Was  this  truly  the  Messiah?  Had 
God  truly  visited  His  people"?  It  is  no 
wonder  that  they  could  not  judge  other- 
wise. 

Omitting  the  accounts  of  the  last  mes- 
sage of  John  the  Baptist,  and  the  annoint- 
ing  of  Jesus  in  the  house  of  Simon,  which 
are  treated  only  by  Luke,  we  come  to  a 
part  of  the  life  of  Jesus  which  is  nearly 
the  same  in  the  first  three  gospels.  After 
the  missionary  journey,  being  surrounded 
by  a  great  multitude  out  of  the  cities, 
Christ  spake  by  parable.  No  doubt  a 
large  part  of  Christ's  hearers  were  now 
familiar  with  the  new  gospel  which  He  had 
been  preaching.     Their  prophet  now  de- 

60 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

pended  on  themselves,  and  Christ,  to  warn 
them  against  mere  curiosity,  taught 
them  in  a  way  that  would  impress  upon 
them  their  responsibility.  As  usual,  the 
illustrations  were  derived  by  objects 
around  them.  But  they  were  not  easy  for 
the  hearers  to  understand.  Even  the  dis- 
ciples were  unable  to  get  their  full  sig- 
nificance, and  asked  an  explanation  after 
their  Master  was  alone.  A  method  so  full 
of  interest  compelled  the  throng  to  listen, 
and  during  the  entire  afternoon  He  con- 
tinued to  teach  them,  even  having  difficulty 
in  freeing  himself  before  evening. 

At  last  all  delays  were  over,  and  Christ 
and  the  disciples  were  soon  on  their  vessel 
and  on  their  voyage.  At  last  Christ  could 
rest,  and  was  soon  sleeping  peacefully  on 
the  cushion  of  the  steersman.  But  this 
needed  rest  was  not  long  undisturbed. 
Suddenly  a  fierce  storm  arose,  and  they 
were  in  extreme  danger.  But  Christ  slept 
calmly.    Not  until  the  waves  began  to  fill 

61 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

the  boat  did  the  cries  of  the  ex- 
cited disciples  awake  Him.  "Lord, 
Master!  Master!  save!  we  perish!" 
Calmly  raising  himself  from  the  stern  of 
the  sinking  vessel,  he  said,  "Peace,  be 
still!"  And  instantly  there  was  a  great 
calm.  If  Christ  ever  performed  a  miracle 
more  miraculous  and  stupendous  than  all 
the  others,  it  was  this — a  miracle  which 
man  has  never  explained  away  by  existing 
laws.  "If  we  believe  that  God  rules,  if  we 
believe  that  Christ  rose,  if  we  have  reason 
to  hold,  among  the  deepest  convictions  of 
our  being,  the  certainty  that  God  has  not 
delegated  His  sovereignty  or  His  provi- 
dence to  the  final,  unintelligent,  pitiless,  in- 
evitable working  of  material  forces ;  if  we 
see  on  every  page  of  the  evangelists  the 
quiet  simplicity  of  truthful  and  faithful 
witness;  if  we  see  in  every  year  of  suc- 
ceeding history,  and  in  every  experience  of 
individual  life,  a  confirmation  of  the  testi- 
mony which  they  delivered,  then  we  shall 

62 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

never  clutch  at  rationalistic  interpreta- 
tions, nor  be  mnch  troubled  if  others  adopt 
them." 

Not  even  did  the  yonder  shore  bring  rest 
and  peace  to  Christ.  No  sooner  had  He 
arrived  there  than  He  was  met  by  an  exhi- 
bition of  human  fury,  and  madness,  and 
degradation,  even  more  terrible  and  start- 
ling than  the  rage  of  the  troubled  sea.  A 
madman,  who  had  become  too  dangerous 
and  desperate  for  human  intercourse,  who 
had  been  driven,  as  a  last  resort,  to  the 
caves  of  the  rocky  hillside,  yelled  in  his 
solitude,  raving  and  tearing  himself  with 
stones.  Naturally,  the  presence  of  the 
Saviour  calmed  and  overawed  him,  and  he 
ran  past  the  disciples  and  fell  before 
Jesus  in  an  attitude  of  worship,  begging 
Him  not  to  torment  him.  Jesus,  perhaps 
to  awaken  his  memoiy,  or  to  touch  his  sym- 
pathies, asked  him,  ''What  is  thy  name?" 
"My  name  is  Legion,  for  we  are  many," 
he  replied,  doubtless  referring  to  the  de- 

63 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

mons  which  influenced  him.  Then,  as  if 
the  demons  in  him  were  talking,  he  asked 
that  they  might  be  suffered  to  enter  the 
swine,  and  not  be  driven  into  the  abyss. 
Whether  the  narrative  be  accepted  liter- 
ally or  not,  depends  merely  on  the  inter- 
pretation of  the  gospels.  It  is  mysterious, 
and  we  have  no  clew  to  its  real  significance. 
No  interpretation  detracts  from  the  glory 
and  supernatural  power  of  the  miracle. 
The  fact  remains  that  Christ,  by  His  mir- 
aculous power,  healed  the  demoniac,  and 
drove  the  evil  spirits  from  him.  Another 
merciful  deed  had  been  done.  Another  sin- 
ner had  been  healed.  Previously  He  had 
enjoined  silence.  On  this  occasion  He  en- 
joined publicity.  ''Go  home,"  He  said, 
"to  thy  friends,  and  tell  them  how  great 
things  the  Lord  hath  done  for  thee,  and 

64 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

hath  had  compassion  on  thee."  And  so 
the  demoniac  of  Grergesa  became  the  first 
great  missionary  to  the  region  of  Decap- 
olis,  bearing  in  his  own  person  the  confir- 
mation of  his  words. 


65 


FURTHER  GALILEAN  WORK 
THE     CRISIS     AT     CAPERNAUM 


CHAPTER  V. 

FURTHER    GALILEAN     WORK. THE     CRISIS    AT 

CAPERNAUM. 

The  missionary  tours  having  drawn  to 
a  close,  Christ  became  especially  im- 
pressed with  the  needs  of  the  multitude; 
without  a  shepherd,  "a  ripe  harvest,  un- 
reaped  for  lack  of  laborers."  He  had  him- 
self completed  His  travels  over  all  Galilee. 
Now,  the  time  had  arrived  for  the  apostles 
to  confirm  His  teachings  and  perform 
works  of  mercy  in  His  name.  But  they 
were  not  to  enter  the  most  important  work 
of  their  lives  without  the  most  perfect 
preparation  and  instruction.  They  were 
to  confine  their  mission  to  the  Israelites. 
Their  theme  was  to  be  restricted  to  one 

69 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

thing— the  nearness  of  the  kingdom  of 
heaven,  and  this,  as  had  been  the  case  in 
Christ's  own  works,  was  to  be  strength- 
ened by  miraculous  works  of  power  and 
temperance.  Their  work  was  to  be  simple 
and  self  supporting.  But  Christ  not  only 
instructed  them  with  the  duties  of  faith 
and  self  denial,  but  continued  His  instruc- 
tions by  preparing  them  for  the  trials  and 
persecutions  that  have  always  character- 
ized true  missionary  zeal.  They  needed 
and  were  to  exercise  the  wisdom  of  ser- 
pents no  less  than  the  harmlessness  of 
doves;  for  He  was  sending  them  forth  as 
sheep  among  wolves. 

He  warned  them  of  their  destined 
scourging  in  synagogues,  and  comforted 
them  by  relating  his  own  sufferings  and 
aflBictions.  The  Father  acknowledged 
those  whom  the  Son  acknowledged.  He 
was  to  be  with  them,  and  guide  them  and 
comfort  them. 

We  are  told  that  during  their  absence 

70 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

Christ  continued  his  works  alone.  After 
this  there  was  a  feast  of  the  Jews,  and 
Jesus  went  up  to  Jerusalem.  But  these 
words  of  John  do  not  necessarily  imply 
that  the  feast  (a  feast  without  divine  au- 
thority and  indeed  unconnected  relig- 
ious observance),  was  what  drew  Him 
to  Jerusalem.  The  passover  occurred 
only  a  month  afterward,  and  it  is 
not  improbable  that  he  availed  him- 
self of  the  opportunity  that  had 
arisen  from  the  absence  of  the  apostles, 
and  avoided  the  publicity  and  danger  of  a 
trip  with  the  passover  pilgrims  from  Gali- 
lee. But  even  if  John  gives  this  as  the  im- 
mediate cause  of  his  visit,  the  fact  remains 
that  the  innocent  enthusiasm  of  joyous 
welcome  with  which  Jesus  and  His  works 
and  words  were  at  first  received  in  north- 
ern Gralilee  gradually,  but  in  a  short  space 
of  time,  gave  way  to  suspicion,  disUke  and 
even  hostility  on  the  part  of  large  and 
powerful  sections  of  the  people,  and  under 

71 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

the  circumstances  it  was  useless,  and  more 
than  useless,  for  him  to  remain  in  Judea, 
where  every  day  was  a  day  of  peril  from 
these  angry  and  powerful  conspirators. 

Thus  it  must  have  been  with  His  human 
heart  full  of  foreboding  and  sadness  that 
the  Saviour  returned  to  Galilee.  In  His 
own  boyhood  home,  by  His  own  neighbors, 
He  had  been  violently  rejected,  now  just 
as  shamefully  at  Jerusalem,  by  the  leaders 
of  His  own  nation.  The  atmosphere  had 
already  been  darkened  by  the  stormy 
clouds  of  gathering  opposition. 

Now  the  great  forerunner — the  prophet, 
and  more  than  a  prophet,  had  been  foully 
murdered.  In  darkness  and  in  secrecy  the 
scene  was  enacted,  and  John's  disciples 
took  up  the  corpse  and  buried  it,  and  with 
sad  and  bitter  hearts,  bore  the  news  to 
Jesus.  But  it  was  not  long  until  the  word 
reached  Jesus  that  the  murderers  wished 
to  see  him.  The  mission  of  the  twelve  had 
tended  more  than  ever  to  spread  a  rumor 

72 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

of  Him  among  the  people.  The  head  of 
John  the  Baptist  was  never  absent  from 
Herod's  haunted  imagination,  and  now  his 
attention  was  called  to  another  Prophet— 
who  did  miracles — what  John  had  never 
done,  and  it  is  no  wonder  that  superstition 
seized  his  guilty  conscience,  and  he  began 
to  whisper,  "This  is  John  the  Baptist, 
whom  I  beheaded ;  he  is  risen  from  the 
dead,  and  therefore  these  mighty  works 
are  wrought  by  him. ' ' 

Such  intelligence,  and  the  ever  increas- 
ing burden  of  the  multitude,  made  rest  and 
solitude  necessary.  "Come  ye  your- 
selves," He  said,  "apart  into  a  desert 
place,  and  rest  awhile."  Near  where  the 
Jordan  enters  the  lake  was  a  second  Beth- 
saida,  a  small  village  bordered  by  a  green 
slope  which  was,  like  the  surrounding  hills, 
uninhabited.  Hither  the  weary  and  sad- 
dened group  sought  rest  and  solitude.  But 
the  quiet  departure  had  not  been  unob- 
served.   It  was  but  six  miles  to  the  quiet 

73 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

shore  which  was  their  destination.  The 
little  vessel  made  slow  progress  against 
the  wind,  and  the  multitude  already 
thronged  about  the  shore  when  they  ar- 
rived. "Christ  was  touched  with  com- 
passion for  them,  because  they  were  as 
sheep  not  having  a  shepherd,  and  He 
taught  them  many  things,  preaching  to 
them  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  and  heal- 
ing their  sick. ' ' 

The  day  wore  on,  the  sun  began  to  sink 
below  the  hills,  but  still  the  crowd  lin- 
gered. The  apostles  became  alarmed  lest 
the  night  would  increase,  already  so  bitter 
against  their  master.  But  while  Andrew 
despairingly  and  hopelessly  mentioned  the 
presence  of  a  boy  with  five  barley  loaves 
and  two  small  fishes,  Christ,  by  His  com- 
passion, had  already  suggested  the  diffi- 
culty to  Philip.  "Make  the  men  sit  down," 
He  said.  Full  of  expectation,  the  apostles 
seated  the  multitude  on  the  green  grass  of 
the  hillside.    "Then  Jesus  raised  His  eyes 

74 


The  Man  of  GalUce 

to  heaven,  gave  thanks,  blessed  the  loaves, 
broke  them  into  pieces,  and  began  to  dis- 
tribute them  to  His  disciples,  and  they  to 
the  multitude,  and  the  two  fishes  He  di- 
vided among  them  all." 

The  profound  effect  of  the  miracle  can 
hardly  be  exaggerated,  and  Christ  realized 
perfectly  the  danger  of  the  situation — that 
''their  undisguised  admiration,  and  the 
danger  of  their  enthusiasm  might  break 
out  by  force  and  precipitate  His  death  by 
open  rebellion  against  the  Roman  govern- 
ment, in  the  attempt  to  make  Him  a  king. ' ' 
And  He  saw  that  even  His  disciples 
shared  to  some  extent  the  worldly  excite- 
ment. Only  by  authority  did  He  persuade 
the  disciples  to  start  across  the  lake  with- 
out Him.  He  realized  the  advantage  of 
sending  His  own  disciples  away  before  at- 
tempting to  dismiss  the  multitude.  Grad- 
ually He  persuaded  them  to  leave  Him, 
and  then  He  withdrew  to  the  hilltop  to 
pray.    He  realized  that  the  crisis  of  His 

75 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

life  on  earth  was  come,  and  the  murder  of 
His  great  forerunner  brought  nearer  to 
Him  the  thought  of  death.  But  He  was  not 
deceived  by  this  false  popularity.  The 
storm  and  the  winds  which  began  to  sweep 
over  the  hillside,  the  buffeting  of  the  waves 
on  the  lake,  all  have  been  taken  as  evidence 
of  the  changed  aspect  of  His  ministry. 

But  there,  alone  with  God,  He  gained 
strength  and  peace.  ' '  Over  Him  the  dark- 
ness fell  and  the  great  winds  blew."  The 
disciples  were  tossing  on  the  sea — discour- 
aged and  distressed — for  Jesus  was  not 
there  to  calm  and  save  them.  But  Christ 
saw  and  pitied  them,  and  soon  they  saw  a 
figure  walking  toward  them  on  the  sea,  and 
they  were  terrified.  Then,  calmly  through 
the  storm  they  heard  the  voice,  "It  is  I; 
be  not  afraid."  Immediately  they  recog- 
nized their  Master,  and  their  terror  van- 

76 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

ished.  Then  the  impetuous  Peter,  who 
had  cried,  ''Depart  from  me!"  could  not 
wait  until  Jesus  reached  the  ship,  and 
cried:  ''Lord,  if  it  be  Thou,  bid  me  to 
come  unto  Thee  on  the  water." 

"Come,"  and  immediately  Peter  sprang 
from  the  ship,  and  all  seemed  well.  But, 
glancing  at  the  furious  waves,  with  a 
wavering  faith,  he  began  to  sink,  and  with 
a  cry  of  despair,  cried  for  Jesus  to  save 
him.  Then,  with  pity  and  mercy  Christ 
grasped  his  hand,  saying,  "0  thou  of  little 
faith,  why  didst  thou  doubt!"  and  together 
they  climbed  into  the  ship.  The  wind 
ceased,  and  the  crew  and  the  disciples  were 
filled  with  utter  amazement  and  consterna- 
tion. Nathaniel  spoke  for  every  man  when 
he  said:  "Truly,  Thou  art  the  SON  OP^ 
GOD." 


77 


WORK  IN  PHOENICIA 
AND     CAESAREA     PHILIPPI. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

WOEK  IN  PHOENICIA  AND   CAESAREA  PHILIPPI. 

After  leaving  Galilee,  Jesus  departed 
into  the  regions  of  Tyre  and  Sidon. 
Whether  this  departure  was  made  for 
safety  and  repose,  we  cannot  tell.  Per- 
haps it  was  to  avoid  the  bitter  opposition 
of  the  Pharisees,  or  the  fear  of  Herod,  but 
probably  chiefly  to  be  alone  with  the  dis- 
ciples. But  if  the  trip  was  for  rest  and  re- 
pose, it  proved  unsuccessful.  The  fame  of 
Christ's  wonderful  miracles  had  even  ex- 
tended to  the  old  Phoenician  cities,  and 
upon  his  arrival,  as  had  always  been  the 
case,  he  was  met  by  the  passionate  en- 
treaties of  a  woman  in  the  little  multitude 
who  was  in  trouble.    ''Have  mercy  on  me, 

81  , 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

0  Lord,  Thou  Son  of  David;  my  daughter 
is  grieviously  vexed  with  a  devil,"  Christ's 
attitude  to  tender  appeal  is  interesting. 
For  the  first  time  since  He  received  the 
miraculous  power  that  enabled  Him  to  per- 
form miracles,  we  see  an  apparent  cold- 
ness on  the  part  of  Christ.  Naturally  we 
would  expect  an  immediate  response,  and 
Farrer  calls  our  attention  to  the  fact  that 
in  granting  the  petition,  Christ  would  have 
symbolically  represented  the  extension  of 
His  kingdom  to  the  three  greatest 
branches  of  the  pagan  world — the  woman 
being  by  birth  a  Canaanite  and  a  Syro- 
Phoenician,  by  position  a  Eoman  subject, 
by  culture  and  language  a  Greek.  But  we 
must  bear  in  mind  that  we  know  not  the 
causes  which  influenced  Him.  He  may  have 
desired  to  test  the  feelings  of  the  disciples 
who,  being  Jews,  were  no  doubt  unpre- 
pared to  see  Him  heal  a  Gentile,  and  even 
an  accursed  Canaanite.  But  it  seems  more 
probable,  judging  from  previous  miracles, 

82 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

that  He  desired  to  test  even  further  the 
woman's  faith,  and  eventually  crown  it 
with  a  more  glorious  reward.  But  the 
disciples  becoming  weary  of  her  cries, 
begged  Christ  to  send  her  away.  But  He 
said:  ''I  am  not  sent  but  unto  the  lost 
sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel."  Then,  fall- 
ing at  Christ's  feet,  she  cried:  ''Lord,  help 
me."  But  calmly  was  the  answer  given: 
"It  is  not  meet  to  take  the  children's  bread 
and  cast  it  to  the  dogs."  Christ  saw  that 
her  faith  was  a  faith  which  saw  mercy  and 
acceptance,  even  in  apparent  rejection,  and 
her  answer  was  glorious  and  immortal: 
"Truth,  Lord;  but  then  let  me  share  the 
condition,  not  of  the  children,  but  of  the 
dogs,  for  even  the  dogs  eat  of  the  crumhs 
ivhich  fall  from  their  master's  table/'  Not 
a  moment  of  suspense  was  necessary — she 
had  triumphed.  "0  woman,"  He  ex- 
claimed, "great  is  thy  faith;  be  it  unto 
thee  even  as  thou  wilt."  And  when  she 
was  come  into  her  house,  she  found  the 

83 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

devil  gone  out,  and  her  daughter  laid  upon 
her  bed. 

Soon  after  this  incident,  Christ's  de- 
parture was  hastened  by  the  publicity 
which,  when  He  was  neither  preaching  or 
healing,  but  training  His  disciples,  hin- 
dered His  work.  But  wherever  He  went, 
He  was  entreated  to  exercise  His  miracu- 
lous power  in  aiding  the  afflicted,  and  on 
His  return.  He  was  entreated  to  heal  a 
deaf  and  dumb  man.  This  case  is  worthy 
of  our  notice,  because  of  circumstances 
which  made  the  gradual  cure  and  visible 
signs  desirable.  Instead  of  healing  him  by 
a  mere  word,  He  took  him  aside,  put  His 
fingers  in  his  ears,  and  spat  and  touched 
his  tongue,  and  then  spoke  one  word,  say- 
ing, ''Ephphatha!    Be  opened!" 

The  multitude  of  the  region,  unfamiliar 
with  His  miracles,  were  filled  with  the  as- 
tonishment which  had  characterized  the 
multitudes  in  other  regions,  and  again  the 
secrecy  was  disregarded,  and  great  crowds 

84 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

followed  Him  with  their  sick  and  lame — 
and  He  healed  them  all.  Many  of  the  peo- 
ple were  from  a  distance,  and  after  about 
three  days  with  Him  their  food  became  ex- 
hausted. Christ  saw  their  faith,  and  pit- 
ied them,  and  the  multitude  was  seated, 
and  a  repetition  of  the  feeding  of  the  five 
thousand  took  place. 

But  Christ  was  not  long  to  have  the 
welcome  that  the  heathen  of  Decapolis  had 
given  Him.  The  hostile  Pharasees  had 
been  looking  for  His  return.  The  Sadu- 
cees  had  united  with  them  in  determining 
to  hinder  His  preaching  and  create  opposi- 
tion against  Him.  They  had  already 
found  that  to  demand  a  sign — a  sign  from 
Heaven — weakened  His  influence.  ''If  He 
were  indeed  the  Messiah,  why  should  He 
not  give  them  bread  from  Heaven,  as 
Moses  had  done,"  they  said.  Where  were 
Samuel's  thunder  and  Elijah's  flame?  Why 
should  not  the  sun  be  darkened ;  the  moon 
turned  into  blood,  and  the  stars  of  heaven 

85 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

be  shaken?  Why  should  not  some  fiery  pil- 
lar glide  before  them  to  victory,  or  the 
burst  of  some  stormy  Bath  Kol  ratify  His 
words'?  They  well  knew  that  such  a  sign 
would  never  be  given,  and  they  knew  that 
He  had  three  times  refused  to  grant  the 
unspiritual  demand.  But  his  refusal  to 
grant  their  demand  gave  them  what  they 
desired — it  greatly  weakened  His  influence 
among  the  people.  But  Christ  never  hesi- 
tated in  rejecting  their  temptation.  He 
told  them,  as  before,  that  ''no  sign  should 
be  given  them,  but  the  sign  of  the  prophet 
Jonah. ' '  Pointing  to  the  western  sky,  now 
crimson  with  the  deepening  hues  of  sun- 
set, He  said:  "When  it  is  evening,  ye  say, 
fair  weather !  for  the  sky  is  red ;  and  in  the 
morning,  storm  today,  for  the  sky  is  red, 
and  frowning,  "Hypocrites!  ye  know  how 
to  discern  the  sky,  can  ye  not  learn  the 
signs  of  the  times?" 

And  so  the  work  went  on — some  receiv- 
ing Him,  some    rejecting    Him — but    He 

86 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

never  pressed  His  mercies  on  those  that 
rejected  Him,  and  the  Galileeans  were  per 
mitted  to  keep  their  worthless  Pharisees 
and  lose  their  Christ.  He  left  them,  never 
to  return  to  minister  to  them,  or  to  work 
miracles. 

He  crossed  the  Jordan  to  Bethsaida,  and 
again  His  work  of  healing  began.  The 
healing  of  the  blind  man  here,  was  similar 
to  that  of  the  deaf  and  dumb  man  in  Deca- 
polis,  and  still  different  from  every  other 
miracle.  Again,  Jesus  saw  fit  to  make  the 
healing  gradual.  Leading  the  man  out  of 
the  village,  He  spat  on  his  eyes,  and  lay- 
ing His  hands  on  them,  He  simply  asked 
the  man  if  he  saw.  The  man,  feeling  his 
vision  being  restored,  said,  "I  see  men  as 
trees  walking."  But  not  until  Christ  laid 
His  hands  on  the  second  time,  did  the  man 
see  clearly.  Man  cannot  understand  the 
causes  of  Christ's  methods,  but  it  is  clear 
that  the  power  Christ  displayed  in  His 
miracles  varied  according  to  the  faith  of 

87 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

the  suffering — where  faith  was  weak,  it 
was  indeed  natural  to  make  the  miracles 
gradual,  and  few  in  number. 

Leaving  Bethsaida  Julias,  Christ  jour- 
neyed toward  Caesar ea  Philippi,  but  on 
His  way  to  the  northern  regions  occurred 
the  incident  that  many  regard  as  the  cul- 
minating point  of  His  earthly  ministry.  He 
was  at  last  alone.  The  crowd  here  only 
followed  at  a  distance.  Only  His  disciples 
were  near  Him  when  he  was  alone  in 
prayer.  After  the  prayer,  He  gathered 
them  around  Him  and  asked  them,  ''What 
do  men  say  that  I  am?"  They  could  not  but 
tell  Him  the  truth,  and  they  sadly  admitted 
that  ''Christ  had  not  been  recognized  by 
the  world  He  came  to  save."  Some  said 
that  He  was  John  the  Baptist,  some  Elijah, 
some  Jeremiah,  others  said  He  was  a 
prophet  and  a  precursor.  But  none  real- 
ized who  he  was.  "But  whom  say  ye  that 
I  am?"  Could  the  answer  have  been  other- 
wise?    John  had  borne  witness  of  Him. 

88 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

These  disciples  and  they  had  followed  Him 
as  the  Son  of  Grod.  They  had  been  given 
the  power  of  healing  by  Him.  The  ever 
warm-hearted  Peter  had  the  immortal 
honor  of  giving  utterance  for  them  all: 
''THOU  AET  CHRIST,  THE  SON  OF 
THE  LIVING  GOD!"  They  had  realized 
that  Jesus  of  Nazareth  was  not  only  the 
promised  Messiah  of  the  nation,  but  the 
Son  of  the  living  God.  And  Christ's  rati- 
fication of  the  confession  is  indeed 
memorable  words.  ''Blessed  art  thou,  Si- 
mon, son  of  Jonas ;  for  flesh  and  blood  hath 
not  revealed  it  unto  thee,  but  my  Father 
which  is  in  Heaven.  And  I  say  unto  thee, 
that  thou  art  Peter,  and  on  this  rock  will  I 
build  my  Church,  and  the  gates  of  hell 
shall  not  prevail  against  it.  And  I  will 
give  unto  thee  the  keys  of  the  kingdom  of 
heaven,  and  whosoever  thou  shalt  bind  on 
earth  shall  be  bound  in  heaven,  and  whoso- 
ever thou  shalt  loose  on  earth  shall  be 
loosed  in  heaven."     It  was  the  laying  of 

89 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

the  corner  stone  of  the  Church — it  was  the 
promise  that  the  church  founded  on  the 
rock  of  inspired  compassion  should  remain 
unconquered  by  all  the  powers  of  hell. 

One  part  of  Christ 's  work  had  been  com- 
pleted. His  apostles  were  convinced  be- 
yond a  doubt  of  His  Sonship.  The  founda- 
tions of  the  Christian  church  were  laid — 
and  Christ  himself  was  the  chief  corner- 
stone. 


90 


TRANSFIGURATION  AND 
HEALING    THE    DEMONIAC    BOY 


CHAPTER  VII. 

TRANSFIGURATION    AND    HEALING    OF    THE    DE- 
MONIAC BOY. 

Whether  the  journey  to  Caesarea  Philip- 
pi  and  the  transfiguration  immediately  fol- 
lowed the  miracle  at  Bethsaida,  we  do  not 
know.  At  any  event,  we  know  that  the 
transfiguration  was  near  the  close  of 
Christ's  ministry  in  Galilee,  and  marked  a 
new  era  in  His  ministry.  From  this  time 
until  He  began  His  last  journey,  His  la- 
bors were  devoted  to  His  disciples,  and 
even  His  teaching  to  the  people  assumed  a 
new  character.  Gradually,  according  to 
their  strength,  He  showed  them  how  God 's 
great  object  in  the  Messiah  necessarily  had 
to  be  effected  in  His  death,  and  showed 

93 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

them  how  His  suffering  had  long  before 
been  foretold  by  the  prophet.  Far  from 
their  expectation  of  the  establishment  of 
an  earthly  kingdom,  was  the  revelation  of 
His  ignominious  death,  and  all  who  re- 
ceived Him  as  the  Messiah,  did  so  at  the 
peril  of  their  lives.  But  the  news  was  not 
all  gloomy.  With  sad  hearts  had  they  lis- 
tened to  the  news  of  His  coming  death — 
but  He  was  to  come  again,  and  they  were 
to  have  His  reward.  Thus,  the  Son  showed 
them  that  He  was  to  establish  a  kingdom 
in  power  and  glory — but  not  a  reign  cor- 
responding to  that  of  earthly  rulers.  And 
to  prevent  a  false  conception  on  the  part 
of  the  disciples,  "He  was  pleased  to  show 
certain  of  the  apostles,  by  a  momentary 
transfiguration  of  His  person,  the  super- 
natural character  of  His  kingdom,  and  in- 
to what  new  and  higher  conditions  of  be- 
ing both  He  and  they  were  to  be  brought 
before  it  would  come."  And  the  promise 
that  some  with  Him  were  not  to  see  death 

94 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

until  they  had  seen  ''the  Son  of  man  com- 
ing in  His  Kingdom,"  or  "the  kingdom  of 
Grod  come  with  power, ' '  was  fulfilled  when 
He  took  Peter,  James  and  John  into  the 
mountain,  and  was  transfigured  before 
them.  Thus  the  three  "dearest  and  most 
enlightened  of  His  disciples"  saw  Him  as 
He  was  to  appear  when,  being  risen  from 
the  dead  and  glorified,  He  would  come 
again  to  reign  over  His  great  power.  They 
saw  Him  in  the  unaffected  glory  of  His 
person,  and  the  brightness  around  them,  a 
foreshadowing  of  the  kingdom  of  God  as  it 
should  come  with  power.  His  supernatu- 
ral character  which,  true,  they  had  be- 
lieved in,  was  now  revealed  to  them.  "The 
kingdom  of  God"  had  a  new  significance 
to  them.  We  are  told  that  His  counte- 
nance shone  as  the  sun,  and  that  His  gar- 
ments became  as  white  as  snow.  His 
whole  presence  breathed  a  divine  radiance. 
And  lo,  two  figures  were  by  His  side. 
When  He  was  preparing  for  His  life  work, 

95 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

angels  comforted  Him.  Now,  in  preparing 
for  death,  Moses  and  Elias  came  from  the 
tomb.  "And  when  the  prayer  is  ended, 
the  task  accepted,  then  first  since  the  star 
paused  over  Him  at  Bethlehem,  the  full 
glory  falls  upon  Him  from  heaven,  and  the 
testimony  is  borne  to  His  everlasting  Son- 
ship  and  power — "Hear  ye  Him." 

Viewed  in  the  light  of  twentieth  century 
enlightenment,  all  this  appears  clear,  and 
the  significance  evident.  But  to  the  three 
apostles,  the  transfiguration  was  full  of 
mystery.  They  had  been  suddenly  startled 
from  their  slumber  by  what  they  saw  and 
heard.  The  vision  of  the  glorified  form  of 
their  Lord  was  splendid,  but  as  to  the  real 
meaning,  they  knew  little.  The  vision  be- 
gan to  fade,  and  the  majestic  figures  were 
soon  to  be  separated  from  their  Lord,  and 
Peter,  anxious  to  delay  their  presence,  not 
knowing  what  he  said,  not  knowing  that 
Calvary  would  be  a  spectacle  infinitely 
more     transcendent    than    Hermon,     not 

96 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

knowing  that  the  Law  and  the  prophets 
were  now  fulfilled,  exclaimed:  "Rabbi,  it 
is  best  for  us  to  be  here,  and  let  us  make 
three  tabernacles,  one  for  Thee,  and  one 
for  Moses,  and  one  for  Elias!"  But  Christ 
responded  to  his  innocent  but  dreamy 
words,  and  even  as  He  spoke  a  cloud  of 
light  and  radiance  overshadowed  them, 
and  a  voice  from  out  of  it  uttered, ' '  This  is 
my  beloved  Son,  hear  ye  Him."  And  they 
fell  to  the  ground,  and  as  they  raised  their 
eyes,  they  saw  that  all  was  over.  Then 
Jesus,  as  they  had  seen  Him  before  He  had 
knelt  in  prayer,  came  to  them,  saying, 
"Arise  and  be  not  afraid."  And  they  de- 
scended the  hill;  and  as  they  descended. 
He  bade  them  to  tell  no  man  until  He  had 
risen  from  the  dead.  What  did  it  all  mean? 
It  was  to  be  pondered  over  by  them,  and 
them  only.  To  tell  it  to  the  disciples  would 
awake  their  jealousy — and  before  the 
resurrection,  it  would  only  confuse  the 
faith  of  others.    What  did  the  resurrection 

97 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

from  the  dead  mean?  But  they  kept 
Christ's  command — they  could  only  ask 
each  other  or  think  in  silence.  And  an- 
other question  puzzled  them.  They  had 
seen  Elias.  Was  not  Elias  to  first  come 
and  to  restore  all  things?  Then  the  Master 
gently  showed  them  that  Elias  indeed,  had 
already  come,  but  had  not  been  recognized, 
and  that  he  had  received  from  the  nation 
what  would  soon  happen  to  Him  when  He 
preceded.  And  they  saw  that  Christ  spoke 
of  John  the  Baptist. 

But  we  find  a  striking  contrast  between 
the  glory  and  communion  on  the  mountain- 
top,  and  the  scene  of  compassion  and  un- 
belief which  greeted  them  as  they  descend- 
ed to  the  low  levels  of  human  life.  During 
their  absence  an  event  had  occurred  which 
greatly  alarmed  and  perplexed  the  other 
disciples.  A  dispute  was  growing  loud, 
and  suddenly  they  saw  Christ.  His  majesty 
filled  them  with  amazement,  and  they  ran 
and  greeted  Him.    "What  is  your  dispute 

98 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

with  them?"  He  asked.  But  both  th« 
scribes  and  the  disciples  were  too  abashed 
to  make  any  reply.  Then  the  father  of  the 
demoniac,  for  this  was  the  cause  of  the 
gathering,  stepped  out  and  knelt  before 
Jesus,  crying  in  a  loud  voice  that  his  son 
was  afflicted  by  epilepsy  and  a  suicidal 
mania.  Christ  immediately  comprehended 
the  whole  situation.  He  had  brought  the 
sufferer  to  the  disciples  to  cast  out  the  evii 
spirit,  and  they  had  failed,  and  so  were  be 
ing  taunted  by  the  scribes.  Christ  was 
grieved.  '*0  faithless  and  perverse  gene- 
ration," He  said,  ''how  long  shall  T  suffer 
you.    Bring  him  hither  to  me." 

No  sooner  was  the  boy  brought  than  he 
fell  with  another  fit,  and  rolled  on  the 
ground  with  foaming  lips.  Christ  paused ; 
He  would  impress  upon  the  crowd  that  the 
failure  was  not  in  Him,  but  the  lack  of  the 
father's  faith. 

''How  long  has  this  happened  to  him?" 
"From  childhood;  and  often  hath  it  flung 

99 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

him  both  into  the  fire  and  into  the  water  to 
destroy  him ;  but  if  thou  canst  take  pity  on 
us  and  help  us." 

^'If  thou  canst,"  said  Jesus — ''all  things 
are  possible  to  him  that  believeth," 

Then  the  father  broke  down,  and  cried, 
''Lord,  I  believe;  help  thon  mine  unbe- 
lief." 

Then  Jesns,  turning  to  the  boy,  said, 
"Dumb  and  deaf  spirit,  I  charge  thee 
come  out  of  him. ' '  Immediately  the  convul- 
sions ceased,  and  he  lay  as  still  as  death. 
And  after  Christ  had  shown  by  miracle 
after  miracle,  and  had  taught  them  as  no 
one  but  the  Son  could,  still  some  said,  "He 
is  dead."  But  Christ  took  him  by  the 
hand  and,  amid  the  bewildered  exclama- 
tions of  the  crowd,  gave  him  to  his  father, 
cured. 

Indeed,  Christ  had  given  the  disciples 
power  to  cast  out  devils,  and  never  before 
had  they  failed.  Thus  it  was  with  a  pa- 
thetic  sadness   that  they  asked  Him  the 

100 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

cause  of  their  failure  by  merely  saying, 
''We  could  not  cast  him  out."  And  He 
frankly  told  them  that  their  failure  was 
due  to  their  unbelief, — that  certain  evils 
are  so  intense  that  they  can  only  be  van- 
ished by  prayer,  and  that  to  a  perfect  faith 
all  things  are  possible. 


101 


DISCOURSES  ON  HUMILITY 

AND     FORGIVENESS     AND 

CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  PEREAN 

MINISTRY 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

DISCOURSES    ON    HUMILITY    AND    FORGIVENESS, 

AND  CLOSING  EVENTS  OF  PEREAN 

MINISTRY. 

Christ  had  now  reached  the  northern 
border  of  the  Holy  Land,  and  He  began  to 
turn  His  steps  homeward.  St.  Mark  tells 
US  that  His  return  was,  as  much  as  possi- 
ble, secret  and  secluded,  through  the  hills 
and  valleys  of  upper  Galilee,  to  the  west 
of  the  Jordan.  We  have  seen  that  His  ob- 
ject was  no  longer  to  teach  the  multitudes, 
who  had  rejected  Him,  and  with  whom  He 
could  no  longer  appear  in  safety,  but  to 
continue  in  what  has  been  looked  upon  as 
really  the  more  essential  part  of  His  work 
— that  of  training  His  disciples.    And  now 

105 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

the  subject  of  His  instruction  was  His  com- 
ing betrayal,  murder  and  resurrection. 
But  He  worked  with  a  sad  and  discouraged 
heart.  They  had  not  heeded.  His  clear 
warnings,  and  in  their  faithless  timidity 
they  would  not  ask  for  further  enlighten- 
ment. Indeed,  the  news  of  His  death  and 
resurrection  had  made  a  great  change  in 
them,  and  in  no  better  way  can  this  be  ob- 
served than  by  noticing  their  own  simple 
account  of  their  shortcomings,  during  the 
time  while  the  Lord  was  yet  with  them. 
They  realized  one  thing — that  some 
strange  change  in  Christ's  life,  connected 
with  the  development  of  the  Messianic 
kingdom,  was  at  hand.  And  instead  of 
strengthening  their  self  denial  and  their 
courage,  this  awoke  their  ambition.  In- 
stead of  increasing  their  humility  and 
love,  it  stirred  up  their  jealousy  and  pride. 

106 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

True,  they  remembered  the  preference 
that  Christ  had  shown  Peter,  James  and 
John  at  Hermon,  and  they  disputed  among 
themselves.  "Which  should  be  the  great- 
est?" 

While  on  the  road,  Christ  took  no  notice 
of  their  dispute,  but  left  them  to  meditate 
over  their  conduct.  But  when  they  reached 
Capernaum,  and  were  settled  down.  He 
asked  them  what  they  had  been  disputing 
about.  Their  silence  was  the  best  confes- 
sion of  their  shame  and  ambitions.  ''Then 
He  sat  down  and  taught  them  again,  as  He 
had  done  so  often,  that  he  who  would  be 
first  must  be  last  of  all,  and  servant  of  all, 
and  that  the  road  to  honor  is  humility." 
Then,  wishing  to  illustrate  the  lesson  by 
a  symbol  of  beauty  and  tenderness,  He 
called  a  little  child,  and  placed  it  in  the 
midst  of  them,  and  then  told  them  that  un- 
less they  became  as  humble  as  that  child, 
they  could  not  enter  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.    And  then,  the  child    still    being 

107 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

present  as  the  text  for  His  remarks,  He 
warned  them  of  the  awful  guilt  and  peril 
of  offending,  of  tempting,  of  misleading, 
of  seducing  from  the  paths  of  inno- 
cence and  righteousness,  of  teaching 
any  wicked  thing,  or  suggesting  any 
wicked  thought  to  one  of  those  lit- 
tle ones,  whose  angels  see  the  face  of  His 
Father  in  heaven."  And  thus  He  pro- 
ceeded to  warn  them  that  no  sacrifice  could 
be  too  great  if  it  helped  them  to  avoid  any 
possible  temptations.  And  He  illustrated 
the  teaching  by  the  parable  of  the  servant 
who  had  been  forgiven  by  his  king,  a  debt 
of  ten  thousand  pounds,  and  immediately 
afterward  seized  his  fellow  servant  and 
would  not  forgive  him  a  debt  of  one  hun- 
dred pencC;  which  was  1,250,000  times  as 
small  as  that  which  he  himself  had  been 
forgiven. 

Following  the  order  of  Mark,  we  now 
pass  over  the  period  of  the  feast  of  taber- 
nacles and  the  farewell  to  Galilee,  and  the 

108 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

journey,  and  came  to    the    last    stay    in 
Perea. 

We  have  seen  that  wherever  Christ's 
ministry  was  in  the  least  public,  the 
Pharisees  were  there  to  tempt  Him,  and 
do  their  best  to  get  him  to  give  some  mis- 
taken judgment.  Now  they  come  to  Him 
with  the  question,  ''Is  it  lawful  for  a  man 
to  put  away  his  wife  for  every  cause?" 
And  never  had  they  formed  a  question 
as  in  the  case  of  the  tribute  money  men- 
tioned in  Matthew  22 :  17,  and  in  the  case 
of  the  woman  taken  in  adultery,  to  lead 
Him  into  a  dilemma.  It  would  not  profit 
us  to  enter  into  an  extended  discussion  of 
the  theological,  scholastic,  ethical,  national 
and  political  difficulties.  The  fact  remains 
that  different  views  were  taken  by  two 
flourishing  schools.  Hillel  explained  the 
passage  meaning  that  a  man  might  divorce 
his  wife  for  any  reason ;  Shammac,  that  it 
meant  only  cases  of  scandalous  unchastity. 
And  if  Christ  decided  with  Shammac,  as 

109 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

His  teaching  had  made  him  think,  He 
would  be  publicly  announcing  that  Herod 
was  a  bold  adulterer. 

But  we  have  already  seen  that  Jesus' 
answers  were  never  guided  by  expediency 
His  only  aim  was  to  elevate  such  inquiries 
to  a  nobler  sphere.  Instead  of  answering 
them,  therefore,  He  simply  directed  them 
to  the  place  where  the  answer  would  be 
found.  But  when  they  persisted  in  asking 
''why  Moses  commanded  to  give  a  writing 
of  divorcement,  and  put  her  away,"  He 
corrected  them,  and  fearlessly  condemned 
Herod  by  saying,  ''Whoever  putteth  away 
his  wife  and  marrieth  another,  except  for 
fornication,  committeth  adultery;  and  he 
who  marrieth  the  divorced  woman  com- 
mitteth adultery."  Thus  they  had  suc- 
ceeded in  doing  what  they  hoped  would  em- 
bitter both  schools,  and  perhaps  even  bring 
on  Him  the  fate  of  John  the  Baptist.  But 
their  hopes  were  of  no  avail. 

110 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

And  then,  some  think  as  a  proof  of  His 
belief  that  marriage  is  honorable,  He  took 
part  in  a  scene  which  has  always  been  one 
of  the  most  beautiful  scenes  of  His  earthly 
ministry.  It  seems  that  it  had  been  real- 
ized there  that  the  time  of  His  departure 
was  near,  and  parents  with  their  children 
had  gathered,  that  He  might  bless  the 
coming  generation  before  His  farewell. 
And  here,  as  has  often  been  the  case,  the 
attitude  of  the  disciples  is  interesting. 
They  thought  the  people  were  bold,  and 
did  not  want  their  Master  troubled  by  the 
crowding  of  the  women  and  children.  But 
Christ  came  to  save  all  sinners,  and  help 
all  the  suffering.  Even  the  children  were 
to  be  a  part  of  His  kingdom.  He  rebuked 
the  disciples,  saying,  '' Suffer  little  chil 
dren  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not, 
for  of  such  is  the  kingdom    of    heaven." 

Ill 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

And  after  laying  His  hands  upon  them  and 
blessing  them,  He  again  repeated  the 
warning:  "Whoever  shall  not  receive  the 
kingdom  of  heaven  as  a  little  child,  shall 
not  enter  therein." 

When  this  beautiful  scene  was  over,  we 
are  told  that  He  started  on  His  way,  and 
then  occured  another  incident  which  is  al- 
most equally  impressive.  A  rich  young 
man,  of  high  position,  suddenly  realized 
that  Christ,  who  could  alone  explain  to  him 
the  meaning  and  mystery  of  life,  was  soon 
to  leave,  and  determining  not  to  be  too 
late,  he  hastened  and  threw  himself  at 
Christ's  feet,  exclaiming,  ''Good  Master, 
what  good  thing  shall  I  do  that  I  may  in- 
herit life?"  Christ  saw  in  the  impetuous 
and  distinguished  young  man,  humility  and 
earnestness.  Yet  the  question  was  founded 
on  a  false  principle.  "Why  asketh  me 
about  the  good?  and  why  callest  thou  me 
good?"  said  Christ,  for  He  would  not  ac- 
cept the  title,  "Good,"  when  given  in  a 

112 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

false  sense — a  mere  ' '  Good  Rabbi, ' '  as  men 
wanted  to  consider  Him.  Thus  Christ,  in 
a  few  words,  showed  the  young  man  that 
his  whole  question  was  a  mistake.  And 
then  He  continued.  "But  if  thou  wilt  en- 
ter into  life,  keep  the  commandments." 

This  simple  answer  was  a  surprise. 
Surely,  he  thought.  He  was  not  referring 
to  just  the  Ten  Commandments,  and  he 
asked,  "What  commandments?"  Christ 
referred  him  to  the  second  table,  for 
"Christ  sends  the  proud  to  the  ten,  and  in- 
vited the  humble  to  the  gospel."  "Mas- 
ter," said  the  young  man,  "all  these  have 
I  observed  from  my  youth."  And  in  the 
letter  he  had — and  Christ  saw  his  sincer- 
ity, and  gave  him  a  lesson  of  his  condi- 
tions. "One  thing  thou  lackest,"  He  said, 
"Go  sell  whatsoever  thou  hast,  and  give  it 
to  the  poor,  and  thou  shalt  have  treasure 
in  heaven ;  and  come  and  follow  me. ' '  But 
Christ's  answer  was  too  strong,  and  the 
young  man  went  away  sad  and  discour- 

113 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

aged,  for  he  had  great  wealth.  He  would 
have  earthly  comforts  rather  than  treas- 
ures in  Heaven,  and  Jesus,  saddened  by 
the  refusal  of  the  test,  turned  to  His  dis- 
ciples and  uttered  those  memorable  words 
which  are  better  understood  when  not  ex- 
plained: ''Things  impossible  to  nature  are 
possible  to  grace ;  things  impossible  to  man 
are  easy  to  God, ' ' 


114 


CHAPTER  IX. 

(same  subject  continued.) 

It  appears  that,  notwithstanding  the  in- 
dications to  the  contrary,  the  people  had 
the  impression  that  Jesus  would  be  at  the 
feast,  and  they  awaited  the  arrival  of  the 
Prophet  with  intense  interest.  Thus  the 
news  that  He  was  entering  the  city  cre- 
ated widespread  excitement,  and  a  great 
multitude  was  gathered  to  receive  the 
Prophet  of  Galilee  and  the  raiser  of  the 
dead. 

Taking  the  main  road,  and  easiest  route. 
Christ  reached  Bethphage,  and  there  sent 
two  of  the  disciples,  probably  Peter  and 
John,  to  find  an  ass,  which  they  were  to 
loosen  and  bring  to  Him.    And  they  found 

117 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

the  ass,  as  He  had  said.  And  the  owners, 
upon  hearing  their  object,  allowed  them  to 
take  the  animal,  and  they  led  it  to  Jesus, 
placing  their  garments  over  it  to  pay  Him 
reverence.  Then  their  Master  seated  him- 
self on  the  ass,  and  the  triumphal  proces- 
sion began.  But  what  was  the  purpose  of 
this  movement?  Was  it  to  create  political 
enthusiasm,  or  vanity,  which  marked  an 
ambitious  triumph?  No,  it  was  far  from 
that.  It  was  the  joyful  triumph  of  the  true 
Galileans  and  disciples.  It  was  truly  a 
humble  procession,  and  the  ass  was  the 
symbol  of  peace. 

And  no  sooner  had  Christ  mounted  and 
started,  than  the  multitude  began  spread- 
ing their  garments  on  His  path,  and  scat- 
tering  boughs  of  olive  and  fig  before  Him. 
No  wonder  that  the  disciples  broke  out  in 
a  burst  of  joyful  enthusiasm,  crying,  ''Ho- 
sanna  to  the  Son  of  David!  Blessed  be 
the  King  of  Israel,  that  cometh  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord!    Hosanna  in  the  high- 

118 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

est!"  And  the  multitude  caught  up  the 
joyful  cry. 

Thus  was  the  prophecy  of  Zaoariah  lit- 
erally fulfilled:  "Rejoice  greatly,  0 
daughter  of  Zion;  shout,  0  daughter  of 
Jerusalem;  behold  thy  King  cometh  unto 
thee;  He  is  meek,  and  having  salvation; 
lowly  and  riding  upon  an  ass,  and  upon  a 
colt,  the  foal  of  an  ass." 

But  there  had  been  a  pause  in  the  tri- 
umphal procession,  while  Jesus  shed  "His 
bitter  tears,  and  uttered  His  prophetic 
lamentation."  And  now  the  people  had 
caught  sight  of  the  approach;  they  had 
heard  the  joyful  cries,  and  they  realized 
what  it  meant.  And  tearing  down  green 
branches,  they  hastened  forth  to  meet  the 
approaching  Prophet,  crying  "Hosanna," 
and  waiving  their  branches.  But  to  the 
Pharisees,  the  joy  of  the  multitude  was 
dangerous  and  unnecessary.  "Master,  re- 
buke thy  disciples."  But  He  would  not. 
"If  these  should  hold  their    peace,"    He 

119 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

said,  "the  stones  could  immediately  cry 
out."  And  they  were  unable  to  repel  the 
enthusiasm. 

And  when  the  procession  reached  the 
city,  the  whole  population  was  stirred  with 
enthusiasm.  ''Who  is  this?"  they  asked, 
as  they  stood  aside  to  let  the  procession 
pass.  And  the  multitude,  with  pride  for 
their  Master,  but  their  faith  weakening  as 
they  entered  the  hostile  capital,  answered, 
"This  is  Jesus,  the  Prophet  of  Nazareth." 

Upon  arriving  at  the  gate  of  the  temple, 
they  scattered,  and  Jesus  entered.  "The 
Lord  whom  they  sought,  had  come  sudden- 
ly to  His  temple — even  the  messenger  of 
the  covenant;  but  they  neither  recognized 
Him,  nor  delighted  in  Him,  though  His 
first  act  was  to  purify  and  purge  it,  that 
they  might  offer  to  the  Lord  an  offering  of 
righteousness."  Three  years  before,  at 
the  passover,  He  had  cleaned  the  temple, 
but  now  as  He  looked  around,  He  was 
again  moved  with  indignation.    Again,  He 

120 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

could  hear  the  cry  of  bargains,  and  the 
sound  of  money.  He  would  not  teach  in 
such  a  desecrated  place.  Again  He  drove 
them  out  with  mingled  sorrow  and  anger. 
And  not  until  He  had  brought  about 
decency  and  silence,  did  He  begin  His 
ministry.  And  when  the  disturbance  was 
over,  many  sufferers  came  to  him  and  He 
healed  them.  Hundreds  crowded  around 
Him  and  were  astonished  at  His  teachings. 
But  ''the  chief  priests,  and  scribes  and 
Pharisees,  the  leading  people,  saw  and  de- 
spised, and  wondered — and  perished." 
Then,  as  the  day  passed,  there  was  another 
incident  of  interest.  The  Greeks,  who  had 
been  attracted  by  what  they  had  seen  and 
heard,  had  asked  Philip  to  obtain  for  theni 
a  private  interview.  Who  they  were  we  do 
not  know,  or  whether  they  were  introduced 
into  Christ's  presence  we  do  not  know,  but 
we  do  know  that  Christ  saw  in  the  incident 
another  sign  that  His  hour  was  come.  And 
He  answered  that  the  road  to  humiliation 

121 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

was  the  road  to  His  glory,  and  that  those 
who  followed  Him  must  be  prepared  to  fol- 
low Him  even  to  death.  And  then  as  He 
looked  forward  to  His  approaching  death, 
the  human  horror  of  it  struggled  with  His 
obedience,  and  He  cried,  "Father,  glorify 
Thy  name!"  Then  again  came  the  voice 
from  heaven,  ' '  I  have  glorified  it,  and  will 
glorify  it  again." 

But  all  of  this  glory  and  truth  had  no 
effect  on  the  hardened  hearts.  Even  the 
more  intellectual,  who  understood  and 
partly  believed,  did  not  dare  to  confess, 
because  they  feared  to  incur  the  wrath  of 
the  terrible  Sanhedrin. 

Thus,  even  on  the  very  day  of  triumph, 
a  feeling  of  sadness  and  rejection  fell  on 
Christ  and  His  followers.  It  became,  in 
fact,  unsafe  for  Him  to  stay  in  the  city, 
and  He  secretly  retired  from  the  temple, 
and  went  into  Bethany  with  His  disciples, 
or  perhaps  better,  in  that  direction — for 
to  have  entered  Bethany  would  have  de- 

122 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

feated  the  very  object  of  the  movement — 
concealment.  Wherever  He  was,  the 
** shadow  of  the  traitor"  fell  on  Him  and 
His  disciples  and  little  band  of  followers. 
Leaving  the  neighboring  hills  of  Beth- 
any early  the  following  morning,  Christ 
returned  to  the  temple  in  the  city,  and  on 
the  journey  He  felt  hungry.  "Whether  He 
had  neglected  His  wants  during  His  eager- 
ness to  teach  the  people,  or  whether  He 
had  been  unable  to  obtain  food  where  they 
had  spent  the  night,  we  do  not  know.  But 
whatever  the  cause  was,  we  know  that  He 
hungered.  And  He  was  obliged  to  look  for 
fruit  by  the  wayside,  to  prepare  Him  for 
the  day's  work.  He  noticed  a  fig  tree  in 
the  distance,  and  although  the  usual  sea- 
son of  figs,  at  which  figs  ripened,  had  not 
yet  arrived,  yet  the  large,  rich  leaves  in- 
dicated that  it  was  fruitful.    We  are  told 

123 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

that  figs  often  hung  on  the  trees  all  win- 
ter, and  there  is  also  an  early  fig  which 
ripens  in  the  spring  before  the  ordinary 
fig. 

But  when  Christ  reached  the  tree  Ho 
was  doomed  to  disappointment;  there  was 
no  fruit.  Christ  saw  that  the  tree  was  a 
perfect  example  of  a  hypocrite — the  ex- 
ternal appearance  was  a  delusion,  and  an 
example  of  the  condition  of  the  nation — 
the  vain  and  ambitious  religion  brought 
forth  no  fruit.  And  He  made  it  a  warning 
against  the  life  of  hypocrisy,  and  said  be- 
fore the  disciples,  ' '  Never  fruit  grow  upon 
thee  more!"  And  immediately  the  tree 
began  to  wither  away.  Thus  He  hastened 
the  withering  of  one  little  tree,  and 
*  *■  founded,  on  the  destruction  of  its  useless- 
ness,  three  eternal  lessons — a  symbol  of 
the  destruction  of  impenitence,  a  warning 
of  the  peril  of  hypocrisy,  an  illustration  of 
the  power  of  faith." 

Then  they  continued  on  their  journey, 

124 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

and,  as  usual,  entered  into  the  temple, 
where  they  were  again  met  by  the  strong 
spirit  of  opposition  which  controlled  the 
Jewish  rulers.  A  crowd  of  the  chief 
priests,  scribes  and  rabbis  met  Him,  gath- 
ered around  Him,  and  boldly  asked,  '^By 
what  authority  doest  thou  these  things, 
and  who  gave  thee  this  authority?" 
Christ's  answer  astonished  them.  Calmly 
and  resolutely  Jesus  told  them  that  His 
answer  to  their  question  depended  on  their 
answer  to  a  question  that  He  would  ask 
them.  "The  baptism  of  John — was  it 
from  heaven,  or  of  men?"  No  answer  fol- 
lowed. They  could  not  turn  it  aside,  for 
John  had  openly  acknowledged  Jesus,  not 
only  as  a  prophet,  but  as  the  Messiah.  It 
placed  them  in  a  dilemma.  They  could  noi 
admit  that  John's  baptism  was  from 
heaven,  for  they  had  rejected  it.  They 
could  not  say  that  it  was  of  men,  because 
the  belief  in  John  was  widespread,  and  to 
reject  it  would  endanger  their  own  safety. 

125 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

Thus  they  were  obliged  to  say,  "We  can- 
not tell."  To  admit  ignorance  on  such  a 
question  in  their  own  sphere,  was  for  them 
inexcusable,  and  deeply  humiliating.  They 
were  the  explainers  of  the  Law,  the  teach- 
ers of  the  people.  But  it  was  a  just  pun- 
ishment, which  they  brought  upon  them- 
selves. The  question  by  which  they  hoped 
to  confuse  Christ  had  come  back  upon 
themselves,  to  their  discomfiture  and 
shame.  But  Christ  did  not  continue  their 
discomfiture.  But  since  their  failure  to 
answer  His  question  released  Him  from 
any  obligation  of  His  own  authority,  He 
simply  replied, ' '  Neither  tell  I  you  by  wha  t 
authority  I  do  these  things." 

They  retired,  and  Christ  again  resumed 
His  teaching,  which  they  had  interrupted. 
And  He  began  to  teach  them  in  parables. 
A  certain  man  had  two  sons.  One  refused 
to  obey,  but  afterward  did  the  work.  The 
other  promised  to  obey,  but  did  not. 
''Which  of  these  two     did     the     father's 

126 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

will?"  said  Christ.  Of  course  tliey  an- 
swered, * '  the  first. ' '  He  then  proceeded  to 
show  them  the  meaning  of  their  own  an- 
swer, that  publicans  and  lower  classes 
were  showing  the  high  teachers  of  the  na- 
tion the  way  into  heaven.  The  very  sin- 
ners that  they  hated  were  going  before 
them.  John  had  been  rejected  by  the  Jews, 
but  the  publicans  and  harlots  repented.  So 
the  priests,  the  rabbis  of  the  people,  were 
worse  in  God's  sight  than  the  sinners 
whom  they  scorned. 

Then  He  told  them  the  parable  of  the  re- 
bellious husbandman  in  the  vineyard. 
The  vineyard  was  the  kingdom  of  God ;  the 
owner  was  God;  the  servants  were  the 
prophets ;  the  Son  was  Jesus,  and  the  hus- 
bandmen were  the  Jews.  And  notwith- 
standing all  that  Christ  had  done  for  His 
vineyard,  there  were  no  grapes.  They, 
like  the  husbandman,  would  not  give  any 
produce,  and  since  they  were  ashamed  to 
own  the  barren  condition,  for  which  they 

,       127 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

themselves  were  responsible,  they  insulted 
and  abused  every  messenger  that  the  Lord 
sent  to  them.  And  then  God  sent  his  only 
Son,  and  they  recognized  Him,  but  they 
heated  and  insulted  Him.  What  would  the 
Lord  of  the  vineyard  do  when  He  camel 
Again  they  were  compelled  to  make  an  ad- 
mission which  condemned  themselves.  He 
proved  to  them  that  the  Scriptures  had 
prophesied  of  their  conduct.  The  stone 
which  the  builders  had  rejected  according 
to  the  will  of  God,  became  ''the  headstone 
of  the  corner."  How  could  they  continue 
to  be  builders,  when  the  purpose  of  their 
building  was  thus  overthrown?  Surely  God 
would  call  other  builders  to  the  building  of 
His  temple.  "Woe  to  them  who  ever  stum- 
ble"— as  they  were  doing  at  that  rejected 
stone;  but  even  yet  there  was  time  for 
them  to  avoid  the  more  crushing  annihila- 
tion of  those  on  whom  that  stone  should 
fall.  Their  rejection  of  Him  in  His  human- 
ity would  bring  sorrow  and  pain;  but  to 

128 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

reject  Him  when  He  would  come  in  His 
glory,  would  bring  ''utter  destruction 
from  the  presence  of  the  Lord." 

And  they  clearly  saw  the  lesson  of  His 
parables,  and  longed  to  Mil  Him.  But  to 
the  multitude,  Christ  ivas  still  at  least  a 
prophet.  Fear  restrained  them.  His  hour 
was  near,  hut  it  was  not  yet  come. 


129 


JESUS'  LAST  DAYS  WITH 

THE    DISCIPLES.      HIS    LAST 

WORDS  IN  THE  TEMPLE. 


CHAPTER  X. 

JESUS '  LAST  DAYS   WITH   THE   DISCIPLES. —  HIS 
LAST  WOKDS  IN  THE  TEMPLE. 

The  time  had  now  arrived  when  it  was 
clear  to  all  that  there  was  no  hope  for 
reconciliation  with  the  Jews.  When  Christ 
and  His  disciples  left  the  Temple,  they 
well  realized  that  they  were  leaving  it 
never  to  return. 

But  as  He  was  leaving,  troubled  and 
wearied  by  the  terrible  incidents  that  had 
occurred,  His  attention  was  called  to  an  in- 
cident which  was  very  significant.  While 
he  was  seated  there  with  a  sad  heart,  the 
multitudes  were  bringing  their  gold  and 
silver  which  furnished  the  temple  with  its 
great  wealth,  and  He  was  attracted  by  the 

133 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

appearance  of  a  poor  widow,  who  timidly 
dropped  in  her  little  gift,  two  prutahs,  or 
less  than  a  farthing,  the  lowest  amount 
that  was  taken.  But  Christ  was  pleased 
with  the  spirit  of  the  gift,  and  He,  as  was 
always  the  case,  saw  from  the  little  incident 
an  opportunity  to  teach  a  great  lesson — 
that  the  fundamental  principle  of  charity 
is  self  denial.  For  he  realized  that  the 
self  denial  of  the  widow  was  greater  than 
the  greatest  gift  of  gold  that  had  been 
given  to  the  temple. 

And  then  Jesus  left,  never  to  return. 
The  apostles  clung  with  pride  to  the  sacred 
place  of  their  people,  and  the  splendor  of 
the  costly  temple,  but  Christ  was  sad  and 
disheartened.  To  Him  the  sole  beauty  of 
the  temple  was  the  sincerity  of  its  wor- 
shippers, and  no  gold  or  marble,  no  bril- 
liant vermilion  or  curiously  carved  cedar 
wood,  no  delicate  sculpturing  or  votive 
gem,  could  change  for  Him  a  den  of  rob- 
bers into  a  house  of  prayer.    The  building 

134 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

was  still  steadily  going  on,  and  had  been 
for  half  a  century,  but  the  temple  was 
destined  to  be  demolished  before  it  was 
completed.  And  thus  did  Christ  speak 
when  He  turned  from  the  scene,  saying: 
"Seest  thou  these  great  buildings!  There 
shall  not  be  left  one  stone  upon  another, 
which  shall  not  be  thrown  down."  And 
this  was  the  signal  for  their  departure. 
Sadly,  but  resolutely,  they  turned  from 
the  sacred  temple  and  crossed  the  valley 
of  Kidron,  and  crossed  the  Mount  of 
Olives  toward  Bethany.  When  the  top  of 
the  mount  was  reached  they  sat  down  to 
rest — a  place,  indeed,  which  inspired  sol- 
emn thoughts.  On  one  side  was  the  Holy 
City — in  name  only — unaware  of  His  ap- 
proach. On  the  other  side  was  the  slopes 
of  Olive  and  the  Garden  of  Gethsemane. 
Opposite  were  the  city  walls  and  the  broad 
plateau,  crowded  with  the  marble  colon- 
nades and  gilded  roofs  of  the  temple.  And 
thus  Christ  looked  from  the  Mount  to  the 

135 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

tokens  of  God's  anger  and  man's  sin.  Thus 
it  was  that  while  He  sat  there,  His 
thoughts  giving  the  expression  a  strange 
solemnity,  that  Peter,  James,  John  and 
Andrew  asked,  ''When  shall  these  things 
be,  and  what  shall  be  the  sign  of  thy  com- 
ing and  the  end  of  the  world?"  The 
question  remained  unanswered.  Christ  did 
not  rebuke  it  directly,  but  drew  another 
great  moral  lesson  from  it.  He  turned 
their  attention  in  two  directions,  and  per- 
mitted them  to  look  into  the  future.  The 
judgment  on  Jerusalem,  followed  by  the 
founding  of  the  church,  the  judgment  of 
the  world,  and  the  establishment  of 
Christ's  kingdom  at  His  second  coming. 
First,  he  warned  them  of  false  prophets 
and  messiahs.  He  prophesied  of  dreadful 
persecutions,  of  abounding  iniquity,  of  de- 
caying faith,  of  wide  evangelization,  as  the 
signs  of  a  coming  end.  Then  he  took  up 
more  immediate  future.  Already  He  had 
told  them  of  the  coming  destruction  of  the 

136 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

Holy  City.  Now  He  showed  them  of  its 
approach,  and  secured  their  safety.  Then 
followed  the  signs  which  were  to  precede 
the  appearing  of  the  Son  in  heaven  and 
the  gathering  of  the  elect  by  the  call  of  the 
angels.  The  day  was  to  come  suddenly, 
unexpectedly — a  reward  for  those  who  re- 
mained true,  but  destruction  to  the  unfaith- 
ful. So,  to  teach  to  them  more  clearly  the 
need  of  faithfulness.  He  again  taught  in 
parables,  simple,  instructive  and  beautiful, 
of  the  ten  virgins  and  of  the  talents,  and 
He  illustrated  the  day  of  judgment,  when 
the  King  would  separate  all  nations  by  the 
story  of  the  shepherd  dividing  his  sheep 
from  the  goats.  Then,  fearing  that  His 
sayings  would  revive  some  of  their  old 
Messianic  ideas,  He  ended  by  showing 
them  that  His  death  must  come  before  all 
else.  *'Ye  know  that  after  two  days  is  the 
passover,  and  the  Son  of  Man  is  betrayed 
to  be  crucified." 

Thus  the  great  discourse  ended,  and  He 

137 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

proceeded  with  His  disciples  to  Bethany. 
Truly,  the  thought  of  the  cup  which  He  was 
soon  to  drink  was  with  Him,  but  now  He 
thought  not  of  what  He  would  suffer,  but 
the  suffering  from  which  He  would  save 
the  people.  "Nature  was  an  open  book,  on 
every  page  of  which  He  read  His  Father's 
name.  Bethany  was  almost  a  second 
Nazareth;  those  whom  He  loved  were 
around  Him,  and  He  was  going  to  those 
whom  He  loved. 

But  Christ's  words  on  the  very  last  day 
of  His  ministry  enraged  the  fury  and 
hatred  of  the  Jews  more  than  ever  before. 
They  had  been  defeated  in  their  highest 
dignity;  they  had  been  compelled  to  own 
their  ignorance  to  the  very  Scripture 
which  was  their  own  domain.  He  had  neg- 
lected their  customs,  and  had  pronounced 
on  them  woe  that  they  never  forgot,  and 
they  determined  that  it  should  come  to  an 
end.  Pharisees,  Sadducees,  scribes  and 
elders,  all  were  dreading  His  words  that 

138 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

was  tearing  down  their  system,  and  they 
determined  on  two  things.  First,  He  must 
be  put  to  death  immediately;  second,  that 
this  should  be  done  by  subtilty,  and  not 
violence.  Thus,  at  the  very  time  when 
Christ  was  foretelling  His  death  to  the  dis- 
ciples, the  conspirators  were  plotting  His 
death.  And  before  they  parted,  an  event 
occurred  which  made  the  capture  of  Christ 
possible,  and  eliminated  the  danger  of  the 
tumult.  They  were  told  that  a  man  who 
knew  Jesus,  and  had  been  with  Him,  even 
His  disciple,  yes,  even  more,  one  of  the 
twelve,  was  ready  to  betray  his  Master. 
Who  proposed  the  bribe  we  do  not  know. 
Neither  do  the  motives  of  the  man  now  con- 
cern us.  The  fact  remains  that  "one  dark 
fact  stood  out  before  their  imagination  in 
all  its  horror," — Judas  was  a  traitor;  that 
Judas  had  been  one  of  the  twelve,  and  yet 
he  had  sold  his  Lord.  Whether  we  take  the 
words,  ''Satan  entered  into  him,"  in  a  lit- 
eral or  metaphorical  sense,  still  the  words 

139 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

best  describe  the  awful  state.  Each  day 
Christ  had  left  Bethany  and  gone  to  Jeru- 
salem, and  this  day  He  did  not  go.  In  vain 
did  the  people  look  for  Him  and  listen  for 
His  voice.  The  day  was  spent  in  seculsiou, 
in  rest  and  in  silence.  ''He  prepared  Him 
self  in  peace  and  prayer  for  the  awfulness 
of  His  coming  struggle."  His  ivorh  on 
earth  as  a  teacher  was  completed.  He 
awoke  the  next  morning,  never  to  sleep 
again. 


140 


GETHSEMA.NE 
THE  BETRAYAL.   THE  ARREST. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

GETHSEMANE. — THE   BETRAYAL. THE   ARREST. 

Christ  realized  that  the  awful  hour  of 
His  deepest  humiliation  had  arrived. 
Nothing  remained  for  Him  but  pain  and 
anguish.  Nothing  but  prayer  and  solitude 
could  give  Him  strength,  and  calm  His 
spirit.  He  was  to  face  the  hour  alone.  Yet 
those  who  loved  Him  best  were  near,  and 
He  was  helped  by  their  sympathy.  But 
more  than  sympathy  was  needed.  Leaving 
the  disciples.  He  took  Peter,  James  and 
John  and  went  a  short  distance  further. 
Peter  was  to  see  all  that  was  involved  in 
allegiance  to  Christ,  and  James  and  John 
were  now  to  understand  what  was  meant 
by  the  cup  they  had  desired  to  drink  with 

143 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

Him.  But  soon  their  presence  was  more 
than  He  could  bear.  The  grief  and  thought 
of  death  overpowered  Him.  Again  He 
withdrew,  this  time  to  be  alone.  "My 
soul,"  He  said,  ''is  full  of  anguish,  even 
unto  death.  Stay  here  and  keep  watch." 
And  sadly  He  left  their  presence  and,  un- 
til they  were  lost  in  slumber,  they  were  con- 
scious of  His  dreadful  suffering.  Some- 
times He  was  on  His  knees,  sometimes  in 
prostri/te  supplication  on  the  ground.  The 
human  in  him  was  pleading  with  the  divine 
will  of  His  Father,  ''Father,  all  things  are 
possible  unto  thee;  take  away  this  cup 
from  me ;  nevertheless,  not  what  I  will,  but 
what  thou  wilt."  But  it  was  not  the  fear 
of  death  that  troubled  Christ.  No,  it  was 
far  more  than  that.  Scores  of  criminals 
go  to  the  scaffold  without  a  tremor  or  a 
flinch,  yes,  even  joke  in  the  sight  of  death. 
Yes,  it  was  more  than  death  that  troubled 
Him.  It  was  the  burden  of  the  sin  of  the 
world  that  bore  heavily  on  His  heart.    "It 

144 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

was  the  tasting,  in  the  divine  humanity  of 
a  sinless  life,  the  bitter  cup  which  sin  had 
poisoned." 

Through  all  this  He  passed  in  that  hour 
which,  with  a  recoil  of  sinless  horror  be- 
yond our  capacity  to  conceive,  foretasted 
a  worse  bitterness  than  the  worst  bitter- 
ness of  death.  Then,  victorious,  but  weary 
almost  to  fainting  with  the  struggle  of  His 
supplication,  He  went  back  for  the  sup- 
port and  sympathy  of  His  chosen  disciples. 
But  they  were  sleeping.  Sleeping  in  the 
very  hour  of  fear  and  peril,  and  no  fear  of 
danger  or  love  for  their  Master  had  kept 
them  awake.  Even  the  impetuous  Peter 
lay  in  deep  sleep.  "Simon,  sleepest  thou!" 
He  said,  and  they  were  startled  and  awoke 
as  the  reproof  fell  on  their  ears.  ''Were 
ye  so  unable  to  watch  with  me  a  single 
hour?  Watch  and  pray  that  ye  enter  not 
into  temptation."  And  then,  not  forgiving 
them.  He  added,  ''The  spirit  is  willing,  but 
the  flesh  is  weak." 

145 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

Once  again  He  left  them,  and  again  He 
repeated  the  same  prayer.  And  again  He 
came  back  and  found  them  asleep.  And 
when  He  awoke  them  they  were  ashamed 
and  confused,  and  could  say  nothing. 

Then  the  third  time,  now  calm  and  se- 
rene, He  withdrew  to  find  consolation  in 
communing  with  His  Master.  And  He 
gained  all  that  was  needed.  He  was  pre- 
pared for  all  that  would  happen.  He  was 
not  in  the  least  agitated  when  He  came 
back  the  third  time  and  found  them  sleep- 
ing. ''Sleep  on  now  and  take  your  rest," 
He  said,  "It  is  enough.  The  hour  is  come. 
Lo,  the  Son  of  Man  is  being  betrayed  into 
the  hands  of  sinners."  They  could  no 
longer  aid  Him.  All  was  changed  now. 
"Rise  then!  let  us  be  going.  Lo,  he  that 
betrayeth  me  is  at  hand. 

And  even  as  Christ  spoke  the  traitor  ap- 
peared. Hurriedly  he  came  forward — for 
the  crime  was  so  terrible  that  he  dared  not 
stop  and  think.    "Friend,"     said    Jesus, 

146 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

"do  that  for  which  thou  are  come."  And 
advancing  toward  Jesus,  Judas  exclaimed, 
"Rabbi,  Rabbi,  Hail!"  and  then  he  pro- 
faned his  Master's  cheek  with  a  kiss  of  sal- 
utation. "Judas,"  said  Jesus,  with  re- 
proach, ' '  dost  thou  betray  the  Son  of  Man 
with  a  kiss  ? ' '  And  then,  stepping  forward 
to  meet  His  pursuers.  He  said,  as  He  stood 
before  them  in  the  moonlight  in  His  un- 
armed and  lonely  majesty,  "Whom  are  ye 
seeking?"  "Jesus  of  Nazareth,"  they 
answered.  "I  am  He,"  said  Jesus.  And 
his  calm  words  filled  them  with  amazement 
and  dread.  The  gentle  answer,  that  bore 
in  it  a  strength  greater  than  the  eastern 
wind,  or  the  voice  of  thunder,  for  God  was 
in  that  still  voice,  and  it  struck  them  down 
to  the  ground. 

And  while  they  stood  cowering  and 
struggling  there.  He  again  asked  them, 
"Whom  are  ye  seeking?"  Again  they  an- 
swered, "Jesus  of  Nazareth."  "I  told 
you  that  I  am  He,  He  said,  "if,  then,  ye 

147 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

are  seeking  me,  let  these  go  away."  The 
disciples  saw  that  Christ  meant  to  offer  no 
resistance,  and  that  He  was  soon  to  sur- 
render himself  to  His  enemies,  and  al- 
though the  impetuous  Peter  saw  that  all 
was  hopeless  and  useless,  still  the  pulse  of 
nobleness,  or  of  shame,  caused  him  to  make 
a  last  stand,  and  he  drew  his  sword,  and  by 
an  ill-aimed  blow,  took  an  ear  from  Mal- 
chus,  a  servant  of  the  high  priest.  But  in- 
stantly Jesus  rebuked  him.  ''For  had  He 
not  voluntarily  intended  to  fulfill  the  Scrip- 
tures by  drinking  the  cup  which  His  Father 
had  given  Him."  And  now,  even  in  the 
hour  of  death.  He  had  compassion  on  the 
very  ones  who  were  to  murder  Him. 
Turning  to  the  soldiers  who  held  Him,  He 
said,  "Suffer  ye  thus  far,"  and  then  in 
His  last  act  of  mercy,  the  last  miracle  of 
Christ  on  earth,  He  turned  and  healed  the 
wound. 

But  even  this  last  miracle  had  no  effect 
on  the  hardened  hearts    of    the    soldiers. 

148 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

They  were  no  longer  filled  with  terror.  The 
Son  had  resigned  to  himself.  He  was  now 
helpless  and  in  their  hands.  ''Then  His 
disciples,  all  of  them,  even  Peter,  even  the 
loving  John,  forsook  Him  and  fled." 


149 


THE  TRIAL.    THE 

CRUCIFICATION.     THE 

RESURRECTION 


CHAPTER  Xn. 

THE    TRIAL. — THE    CEUCIFICATION. — THB 
RESURRECTION. 

Christ  was  at  last  forsaken,  and  entirely 
in  the  power  of  His  enemies.  He  was 
bound,  led  over  the  Kidron,  and  up  the  hill 
to  the  palace  of  the  high  priest.  First  they 
led  Him  to  Annas,  but  he  was  ex-high 
priest,  and  sent  Him  to  Caiphas,  his  son- 
in-law,  who  was  titular  high  priest.  And 
there  took  place  the  second  private  stage 
of  the  trial.  And  Christ's  silence  troubled 
and  angered  them.  Caiphas,  also,  was 
filled  with  fear  and  anger.  ''Answereth 
Thou  nothing  r '  he  said.  ' '  What  is  it  that 
these  witness  against  Thee?"  But  His 
awful  silence  remained  unbroken.     Then 

153 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

the  high  priest,  in  utter  despair  and  fury 
exclaimed:  "I  adjure  Thee  by  the  living 
God,  to  tell  us  whether  thou  art  the  Christ, 
the  Son  of  God. ' '  Indeed,  it  was  a  strange 
question  for  a  high  priest  to  ask  of  a  con- 
demned criminal.  Christ  could  not  remain 
silent  any  longer.  He  could  not  leave  room 
for  any  misinterpretation.  In  the  time 
when  they  would  have  made  Him  King,  He 
had  kept  His  title  of  Messiah  quiet;  but 
now,  when  death  was  near,  when  all  must 
be  lost,  then  thrilled  through  the  ages, 
thrilled  through  that  eternity,  which  is  the 
synchronism  of  all  the  future,  and  all  the 
present,  and  all  the  past,  the  solemn  an- 
swer, *'I  am,  and  ye  shall  see  the  Son  of 
Man  sitting  on  the  right  hand  of  Power, 
and  coming  with  the  clouds  of  heaven." 
And  upon  these  words,  Caiphas  demanded 
His  instant  condemnation. 
"Blasphemy!"  he  cried,  "what  further 
need  have  we  of  witnesses?  See,  now  ye 
heard  his  blasphemy!    What  is  your  de- 

154 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

cision?"  And  with  the  cry,  "A  man  of 
death,  guilty  of  death, ' '  the  meeting  ended. 
The  second  part  of  the  trial  was  over. 

It  was  in  the  kingly  palace  that  the  scene 
occurred  which  preceded  the  final  agonies 
of  Christ.  And  here  it  was  unlike  the  scenes 
of  Annas  and  Caiaphas,  for  here  the  judge 
was  in  His  favor,  and  with  all  the  strength 
of  a  feeble  pride,  and  all  the  daring  of  a 
guilty  cowardice,  and  all  the  pity  with 
which  a  blood-stained  nature  was  capable, 
did  strive  to  deliver  Him.  This  last  trial 
is  full  of  passion  and  movement ;  it  involves 
a  three-fold  rejection  by  the  Jews,  a  three- 
fold warning  to  Pilate,  and  a  three-fold  ef- 
fort on  his  part,  made  with  ever  increasing 
energy  and  ever  deepening  agitation,  to 
baffle  the  accusers  and  set  the  victim  free. 
Sincerely  did  Pilate  make  the  emphatic 
and  unhesitating  acquittal:  *'I  find  in  Him 
no  fault  at  all, ' '  and  ' '  Why,  what  evil  hath 
He  done?  I  find  no  cause  of  death  in 
Him."     Even  to  the  last  we  wished  and 

155 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

koped,  yes,  and  even  strove  to  save  Him, 
but  all  in  vain.  Every  effort  brought  forth 
louder  cries,  ''Crucify!  Crucify!"  And, 
panic  stricken,  the  judge,  in  obedience  to 
his  own  terrors,  consciously  betrayed  the 
innocent  victim  to  the  anguish  of  death. 

The  execution  followed  immediately 
upon  the  judgment.  Many  people  followed 
the  miserable  procession  as  it  went  on  its 
way,  but  heard  no  word  of  pity  or  of  sym- 
pathy. They  had  seen  His  miracles ;  they 
had  heard  His  words;  and  many  of  them 
hid  been  convinced  of  His  Messiahship,  as 
they  heard  His  great  teachings  in  the  tem- 
ple, but  a  faithless  timidity,  or  doubt,  or 
perhaps  sorrow,  kept  them  dumb. 

At  last  they  reached  the  fatal  spot — Cal- 
vary. There  He  was  stripped,  and  the 
nails  tore  their  way  into  His  quivering 
flesh.  And  it  was  at  this  moment  that  He 
was  heard  in  a  cry  of  agony,  but  praying 
with  divine  compassion  for  His  brutal 
murderers,  ''Father,    forgive    them,    for 

156 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

they  know  not  what  they  do. ' '  And  toward 
the  close  of  His  anguish,  He  uttered  the 
mysterious  cry,  of  which  the  full  signifi- 
cance will  never  be  fathomed  by  man :  '*My 
God,  My  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken 
meV  Thus,  at  the  approach  of  death,  be- 
cause He  was  God,  and  yet  had  been  born 
on  earth  a  man,  the  suffering  was  more  un- 
endurable than  it  ever  could  have  been  to 
any  man.  ' '  His  divine  humanity  could  en- 
dure no  more." 

Now  the  end  was  come.  "Father,"  He 
said,  ''Into  Thy  hands  I  commend  my 
spirit."  Then  He  uttered  His  last  cry,  "It 
is  finished."  And  no  sooner  had  He  ut- 
tered these  last  words,  than  He  bowed  His 
head  and  yielded  up  His  life. — ' '  a  ransom 
for  many," — a  willing  sacrifice  to  His 
Heavenly  Father.  Finished  was  His  Holy 
Life ;  with  His  life.  His  struggle ;  with  His 
struggle,  His  work ;  with  His  work,  the  re- 
demption; with  the  redemption,  the  foun- 
dation of  the  new  world.  An  earthquake 
157 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

shook  the  earth,  and  the  rocks  were  rent 
asunder,  and  the  stones  that  covered  the 
cavern  sepulchers  were  rolled  from  their 
places.  All  of  these  circumstances  of 
amazement,  together  with  what  they  had 
observed,  filled  the  Koman  soldiers  with 
wonder.  And  on  one  centurion  it  had  a 
deeper  meaning.  As  he  saw  the  Savior  die 
he  exclaimed,  "Surely,  this  man  was  the 
Son  of  God." 

Thus  would  end  the  life  of  any  human 
person  at  death,  but  with  Jesus,  the  Mes- 
siah, the  Son  of  God,  the  Saviour  of  the 
world,  many  of  the  greatest  lessons  and 
work  of  the  sacrifice  of  the  Son  would  be 
lost.  No,  it  is  not  the  details  of  the  resur- 
rection that  are  of  such  vital  importance. 
An  extended  description  of  the  burial  and 
resurrection  would  profit  us  nothing  with- 
out the  significance  of  that  resurrection. 
Forty  days  had  now  elapsed  since  the 
crucifixion.  And  during  those  forty  days 
Christ  had  been  nine  times  present  to  hu- 

158 


The  Man  of  Galilee 

man  eyes,  and  touched  by  human  hands. 
But  His  body  was  not  merely  a  human 
body,  neither  had  He  now  lived  the  life  of 
man.  The  time  had  come  for  Him  to  ^o 
from  His  people  forever,  until  He  would 
return  to  judge  the  world  in  glory.  He  led 
them  to  Bethany  and  bade  them  wait  in 
the  Holy  City  until  they  had  received  the 
promise  of  the  Spirit.  Then  He  bade  them 
farewell.  He  blessed  them,  and  even  as 
He  blessed  them,  was  parted  from  them, 
and  as  He  passed  from  before  their 
yearning  eyes,  a  cloud  received  Him  out  of 
their   sight. 

Thirty  years  had  passed  since  He  had 
come  to  earth.  Three  years  had  passed 
since  He  had  begun  preaching  the  gospel 
of  the  Kingdom,  but  God  had  given  His 
only  begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  believed 
in  Him  should  not  perish,  but  have  EVER- 
LASTING LIFE. 


159 


BS2424  .S53 

The  Man  of  Galilee;  a  short  sketch  of 

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1    1012  00013  2805 


